Now that I’ve got your attention, it’s time to talk about a great program to reduce waste!

Can all of those wrappers from granola bars, energy bars and other snacks we eat out on the trail be turned into something useful besides filling up the trash can at the trailhead? Now there is a way for us hikers to recycle our non-recyclable trash!

I heard about a company called TerraCycle, that enables people to join the effort to make our world a greener place. Users can join a “brigade” and opt to start collecting certain types of trash. Once you and your hiking buddies or school group or company have collected a box full of waste, you can mail it to TerraCycle (they pay the postage!) and in return, they give you points that can be used to buy a specific charity gift or converted into money, which is donated to the charity of your choice.

TerraCycle recycles everything they collect and make useful products, such as the firestarters packaged in a recycled bottle, which is great for campers like me! I tried them out on a recent camping trip in the firepit at Catalina Island’s Two Harbors campground and they worked great! It is nice knowing that the packaging was recycled.

TerraCycle sells a range of their recycled products, including a lot of school supplies for children.

Talk about a great way to Leave No Trace! Let’s all help out! For more information check out the TerraCycle website.