Tom Szaky’s Environmental All-Stars
Today’s post is contributed by our eco-fabulous friend, Tom Szaky; founder and CEO of TerraCycle. Check out Tom’s roster of environmental all-stars–those who inspire him as an environmentally focused entrepreneur–then tell us who your sustainability heroes are!
When I started out in the environmental business, I was more “business” than environmental. As I came to realize the viability of my “worm poop” fertilizer as a mainstream product, I was fascinated by the idea of making a viable, affordable consumer product entirely from waste and finding value in what everyone else considered “trash.”
While I had the help of my friends, family and my first interns (who all worked for free), I also had the inspiration – and eventually the pleasure of working with – pioneering authors, entrepreneurs, and capitalists from a wide range of industries. I learned both business acumen and social impact from these visionaries, and they inspired me to keep pressing on with TerraCycle even when our challenges seemed insurmountable. I am excited to share some of the “giants” whose shoulders I have stood upon:
William McDonough: An architect by trade, McDonough works by the philosophy of cradle-to-cradle design, which minimizes negative environmental impact. He wrote Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things in 2002 with chemist Michael Braungart, detailing the cradle-to-cradle and upcycling concept that TerraCycle strives to embody in its processes, programs and products. Dr. McDonough even graced TerraCycle’s factory and continues to stay in touch.
Photo courtesy of DiscoverMagazine.com
Paul Hawken: Hawken is the author of two of my favorite books, Natural Capitalism and Growing a Business, and focuses on “natural capital,” which is capital gleaned from the ecosystems and the goods offered naturally by the Earth (what would be considered sustainable practices). He makes the argument that there is value in these practices and that this will truly be what sustains us. TerraCycle, is, once again, based off this idea, and I had the honor of having Paul write the foreword to my book, Revolution in a Bottle, in 2009.
Photo courtesy of TreeHugger.com
Gary Hirshberg: Gary Hirshberg former CE-Yo of Stonyfield, is a long-time friend and inspiration. When TerraCycle started upcycling food packaging in 2007. He was one of the first people I went to with the idea, and the Yogurt Brigade was born. Gary’s approach to the triple bottom line, and his dedication to socially minded business that is good for people and for the Earth sets a prime example for TerraCycle as well as other green businesses.
Photo courtesy of SierraClub.org
As TerraCycle has evolved over the years, the places from which I take inspiration and encouragement has not changed. I’ve also been inspired by the work of my peers, such as Adam Lowry, co-Founder of Method. Method runs a Brigade with us for cleaners packaging, and Adam has dedicated his skills to making gentle, eco-friendly cleaners. The way Method approaches business as a vehicle for social change, embodying this in every aspect of their work (they even use recycled plastic from the Pacific Gyre!), is an example for TerraCycle to work by and also highlights the values we strive to work for at TerraCycle. Also Seth Goldman, Founder and Tea-EO, of Honest Tea, with whom TerraCycle partners, is other great sustainable business leader, whose growth, success and commitment to social responsibility is an inspiration to all!
Who are your environmental all-stars? What can we do to support each other in recycling and sustainability?
Share with friends