TerraCycle: Upcycled and Recycled Unique Gifts and More

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2012 Holiday Gift Guide Selection

If you are looking for a great gift for your green-minded friends or family members, or even for someone who just loves unique and innovative items, look no further than TerraCycle!  This worldwide leader of recycling and upcycling previously non-recyclable or difficult to recycle waste has created an incredibly interesting collection of unique and affordable products.  Items such as school supplies, office supplies, home décor, toys, bags and products for the pets and garden are made from post-consumer waste items such as drink pouches, candy wrappers, pens, tape dispensers, diaper and make up packaging and so much more!

I had the opportunity to review some of these incredibly neat items!  TerraCycle generously sent me a Capri Sun Drink Pouch Medium Pencil Case, a Capri Sun Binder and a set of M&M Eco Speakers.   I wasn’t really sure of what to expect as far as quality and durability, but I was pleasantly surprised!

Capri Sun Drink Pouch Medium Pencil Case

This is a cute pencil pouch that is made from six Capri Sun drink pouches.  It zips closed and can hold many items including pens, pencils, markers, crayons, scissors, a calculator and more!  It measures approximately 11” long by 5.25” tall.  Each pouch is sewn together using a thick thread, and the inside is lined with plastic making it extremely durable.   Other pencil cases are also available in a variety of different sizes, styles (such as with holes to clip into a 3 ring binder) and can be made from a mix of different drink pouches, candy wrappers, chip bags and more!

Front: the “I am made with…” sticker does come off

Back: You can see the well-made stitching

Inside is lined, very roomy, zips closed!

Drink Pouch Pocket Portfolio (Capri Sun)

This incredibly cool folder is made entirely from Capri Sun pouches, about 27 pouches if you count!  They are stitched together using a thick, durable thread.  Inside are two pockets (one per side) which allow plenty of room for papers and notebooks.  This one uses Velcro to close, although some have a strap closure system.  It is very durable, and measures approximately 14.5” tall and 10.5” wide (closed).  The inside pockets are close to 5.5” deep, which is deep enough to securely hold papers and/or a notebook. Other brand pouches can also be used to make this product.

Made from several Capri Sun Drink Pouches stitched together, very durable

Inside has two pockets, each around 5.5” deep

This one uses Velcro to close, others have a strap system

M&M Eco Speakers

These small speakers have got to be one of the most creative uses for recycled products I have ever seen!  Made of 80% recycled product from Peanut M&M candy boxes, these light-weight, portable square-shaped speakers measure approximately 3” per side.  They have a 3.5mm universal plug which allows them to be used with computers, iPhones, iPods, MP3 players and more, and the wire length is enough to have the speakers a comfortable distance from the computer, etc.   The speakers arrive semi-assembled to where you have to fold them into their box shape, but it is extremely easy and takes maybe 5 minutes.  No tools are required.   The actual speakers are about 2 1/4” and have pretty good sound quality for their size!  I have used them for both my laptop and a portable CD player, as well as an MP3 player and love their look, sound and the fact that they are so small and lightweight I can move them around easily.

Front view, actual speaker size is around 2 1/4” and has great sound!

Top View

Back view; wire is a decent length, speakers use a universal 3.5mm plug

My Verdict

I am truly impressed with all three products!