Upcycle It! Raises $5000 for Westford Schools

Upcycle It! is a unique recycling program that collects non-recyclables such as chip bags, granola bar wrappers, cookie wrappers and more to keep them out of the waste stream.  These items are sent to a company called TerraCycle. TerraCycle donates two cents per item and pays for shipping.  The items are then upcycled into new products such as backpacks, tote bags, and flower pots. 

The program began in May 2010 with collection points at Starbucks, Nabnasset Elementary School and the Westford Farmers Market.  Since then, collection points have expanded to every school in Westford, the and .  The 2 cents per item have been building steadily for the past 22 months.  On February 22, Upcycle It!’s totals reached over $5000.   This equates to over 250,000 pieces weighing almost 2500 pounds.  Funds are given to teachers, students, or groups of Westford Schools for environmental projects via grants.

Upon hearing this news, TerraCycle’s Founder and CEO, Tom Szaky said, "Without dedicated Brigade members like the ones in Westford, MA, TerraCycle would not be able to have such a positive impact on the planet.  They are our reason for existing.  I congratulate Kristina and the Upcycle It! team on this monumental accomplishment and sincerely thank them for all their hard work."

To date, two grants have been awarded to Westford teachers.  The first Upcycle It! grant was awarded last spring to 3rd grade teacher Jaime Kelly and technology specialist Lisa Sanderson of the Abbot Elementary School.  Mrs. Kelly’s 3rd graders investigated recycling and upcycling happening at Abbot.  They presented their findings to the entire school, conducted a survey to determine what people knew and didn't know about the program, then proceeded to write, star in and direct their own public service announcements to educate the school on Upcycle It!  Check out their videos on the link above.

Another grant was recently awarded to Physical Education teacher Keith Weston and School Nurse Barbara Bergin at the Nabnasset Elementary school (pictured above).  The funds will be used to plant several trees on the school’s field this spring.  This will provide some much needed shade for the children as they play during recess and gym class.

The next grant cycle will be starting soon.  Watch the Westford Farmers Market website for details.

As some of you may know, I am the founder of the Upcycle It! program in Westford.  It is so satisfying seeing something so near to my heart succeed. The overwhelming support from Westford residents, students, parents, Scout troops, teachers, and businesses has been amazing. If you are participating in Upcycle It! currently, THANK YOU!  To the countless dedicated volunteers – you pickup items from schools and other locations, sort them into separate categories (some of it not so pretty), educate your schools and residents, and often help man the Upcycle It! table at the farmers market.  Thank You!  I could not do this without you.