Do You Upcycle? Many Have, Raising Over $1K For Schools

A unique program that converts trash like candy wrappers, coffee bags, and drink pouches into tote bags and other items is making some green for local schools.

Sustainable Westford's 'Upcycle It' program collects such nonrecyclable items and sends them to a company that converts them into tote bags, clipboards, and soap dispensers, among other products.

The company, TerraCycle, pays two cents for each nonrecyclable collected. Sustainable Westford then donates that money to area schools. So far, it has donated more than $1,000 after collecting close to 600 pounds of waste that would've ended up in a landfill.

It's been a successful program, according to Sustainable Westford's Kristina Greene. She owns a TerraCycle-produced purse made out of Capri Sun drink pouches.

The program started May 1 and continues to grow. At a farmers market Saturday, a huge trash barrel full of items was collected.

"We have about 25 boxes (of nonrecyclables) still to be counted," Greene said.

Along with drink pouches, items that can be collected include glue containers, chip bags, granola bar wrappers, coffee bags, and other items. More information can be found here.

Items can be dropped off at the following locations:

• Winter Farmers Market on Saturdays at the

The Boston Globe recently profiled Greene's efforts.