Shop for a Cause: Trash Turns into Treasure with TerraCycle

Written by guest blogger Melissa Long

They say “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”; is it ever with TerraCycle, where your trash can be upcycled into useful products. Upcycling (the opposite of recycling) is the process of using waste to create new products. Thanks to one of the top 100 most innovative companies, we can decrease landfill and have super stylish gear that will be sure to turn heads.

TerraCycle takes your garbage and turns it into useful products. Currently the company is collecting drink pouches, Flavia Freshpacks, Kashi packages, energy bar wrappers, toasted chip boxes, Bear Naked bags, cell phones, cork from wine* (link to UL wine products) bottles, and yogurt containers. Once these are received, TerraCycle will donate 2 cents to your favorite charity (and 25 cents for cell phones). So grab all of your friends and neighbors and start collecting trash! TerraCycle even sends you the packages to ship your items so you don’t have to pay extra. This is such a great way to give back to your favorite charity and it doesn’t cost you a penny.

Well it does , of course, if you purchase some of TerraCycle’s amazing products. Currently you can buy lawn and garden care products, household cleaners, office and school supplies, bags, and winter and holiday merchandise. I am rather fond of the wine cork board ($20) and CD-ROM Christmas ornaments ($8). Just go to http://www.shoponlygreen.com/ and check them out for yourself. You won’t regret it!

To find out more details about upcycling and the TerraCycle brigades visit: http://www.terracycle.net/brigades/.

Neero & Ana's Pillow Cases Help Cancer Patients

Doreen Motton always knew she wanted to be an entrepreneur, but had no clue about what she would market. Then several years ago, while attending a conference at a New York City hotel, she recognized the name of a childhood friend on the lobby's directory, as the host of a celebration. Curious, Doreen made her way to the event room suite and found a quaint gathering of familiar friends. The party was a celebration of the hostess's life, or what was left of it; she had been diagnosed with cancer and had only six more months to live. Doreen knew that her business had to incorporate giving back.

Within months, Doreen founded Neero & Ana, Inc. and immediately reached out to health related charities and organizations to offer support to those with major medical challenges. The company has become a trusted manufacturer of the medically recommended Satin Hydration Therapy® brand satin pillowcase. Doreen initially began donating satin pillowcases for special cancer survivorship events and eventually incorporated this practice of giving as a permanent part of the company's business plan.

The botanically sleek bridal satin hair and skin savers provide a simple solution for women everywhere seeking to defend the signs of aging and restore healthier hair. The fact that the American Cancer Society recommends satin for cancer sufferers during the hair re-growth period was an added plus for the brand and is the major charity of choice for Neero & Ana.

The company takes a 21st century approach in developing sensible products that embrace a "back to basics" regimen in personal care. Focusing on remedies that promote healthier lifestyles, add value to squeezed beauty budgets and help those particularly challenged is Neero & Ana's platform for existence. The organic beauty savers can be found online and in finer salons & spas.

To shop for more products that support cancer-related charities, go to the cancer page on Uptown Liz.

Photo caption: Founder and CEO of Neero & Ana, Inc. Doreen Motton

Uptown Liz & Fuffy J. Couture on Good Day Sacramento

Uptown Liz and Fuffy J. Couture appeared on Good Day Sacramento this past Monday, October 13. The segment featured the Liz Collection, the new Just beCause Bags by sisters and stay-at-home moms, Lyndi Eimerl and Kristin Morrow, that support breast cancer awareness. The chic handbags, which were named in memory of Elizabeth "Liz" Overturf, are black with pink lining, with an inspirational quote inside, and a charm that you can have personalized.

Also featured on the segment were the new GALS line at FranklinCovey, which includes planners (featuring the Uptown Liz story), folders, totes, business card holder, passport holder and more. Other products shown on the segment supporting breast cancer awareness were Grill Charms, Boob Lube, Honest Tease tee, shower for the cure, Nicola Gift Set, Luxe Link - Megan in Pink and the Uptown Girl - Breast Cancer Awareness Bracelet.

All of these products (as well as 200 more supporting breast cancer awareness) can be found at Uptown Liz on the Breast Cancer page.

Photo caption: GALS Collection Wire-Bound Cover.

Target Hits the Bullseye with New Pink Products

In honor of breast cancer awareness month, Target, the nation’s fifth largest retailer in sales revenue, has unveiled a fun and stylish new line of pink products.

The Brita Water Pitcher, Bialetti Cupcake Carrier and KitchenAid Pink Two-Slice Toaster are just three of the boob-friendly items that will join the 35-40 existing products (our fave: the Conair Ionic Styler and Dryer), already promoting breast cancer awareness on Target's Web site. But the pink doesn't stop there. Using proceeds from sales of its pitchers, Brita will donate a total of $50,000 to the City of Hope during the 2008 campaign, and Trudeau will donate 5% of the proceeds from the sale of its Drive Time Travel Mug to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

It's no doubt that The Target Corporation, best known for its corporate responsibility and philanthropic efforts in the fields of education and environmental awareness, has continued its quest to "do good" for the community, while keeping its shoppers "pretty in pink."