Tom's of Maine Celebrates Earth Month with the #LessWasteChallenge Pledge to Inspire Less Waste Going to Landfills

Pledge helps protect the planet for kids and future generations.

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Apr 07, 2016, 09:00 ET

KENNEBUNK, Maine, April 7, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 250 million tons of waste is generated every year in the United States,¹ but this year you can help change that number. Just in time for Earth Month, natural personal care brand Tom's of Maine and TerraCycle®, a recycling leader, are teaming up to decrease the amount of trash ending up in landfills by launching the #LessWasteChallenge. By taking a simple online pledge at www.tomsofmaine.com/lesswaste, you can give your support by making the commitment to reduce your family's household waste by one pound per week.

Help reduce waste with this fun and quick DIY project that lets you turn your toothpaste carton into a gift box! Join Tom’s of Maine and TerraCycle in reducing waste by taking the simple #LessWasteChallenge pledge to reduce your household waste by one pound per week. Visit www.tomsofmaine.com/lesswaste to take the pledge. You’ll also find easy tips and DIY projects to make getting to that one pound easy!

Experience the interactive Multimedia News Release here: http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7798551-toms-of-maine-less-waste/

"As a mother, I want to do all I can to ensure a healthy future for my daughter and generations to come," said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom's of Maine. "We launched the #LessWasteChallenge this year to remind families just how easy it is to make a difference, and to teach our children how they can impact their home, school and community with just a few simple changes."

A recent study by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that the average person generates 4.4 pounds of waste per day¹ – more than 30 pounds per week – that can instead be composted, recycled or upcycled into other useful items for your home. The #LessWasteChallenge is designed to inspire small changes today that can make an important impact tomorrow. Tips & DIY projects are available at www.tomsofmaine.com/lesswaste, and consumers are invited to share their own tips on social media using #LessWasteChallenge.

For 45 years, Tom's of Maine has been taking its own #LessWasteChallenge by developing natural personal care products with a focus on natural, responsible and sustainable practices and materials. Today, Tom's of Maine has a goal of zero waste to landfills by 2020 at its manufacturing facility in Maine. As well, through its partnership with TerraCycle, the Tom's of Maine Natural Care Brigade® enlists volunteers to collect personal care packaging from any brand, helping to keep 195,787 pounds of packaging out of landfills in 2015 alone.

"Making a lifestyle overhaul can be overwhelming to someone, so the #LessWasteChallenge is the perfect way to get started," said TerraCycle CEO, Tom Szaky. "A lot of little steps add up to one big one."

Want to find new, easy ways to reduce waste in your home? Try one of these tips from TerraCycle to help you get to your goal of reducing household waste by one pound each week!

Plastic Sandwich Baggies – the average person uses 540 baggies or 0.84 lbs. of plastic per year,²so try using reusable food containers when packing your lunch
Disposable Coffee Cups – the average US office worker uses 500 cups or about 23 lbs. of paper per year,³ so try bringing a reusable travel mug with you to work
Bills – paying bills exclusively online has the potential to save 23 lbs. of wood each year⁴
Junk Mail – the average person receives 560 pieces of junk mail or 41 lbs. per year,⁵ so unsubscribe from mailing lists or request to only receive information online
Receipts – take advantage of restaurants and stores offering e-receipts instead of taking the paper copy

Consumers will also encounter the #LessWasteChallenge throughout Earth Month with in-store events and displays and through mobile and social content – all aimed at inspiring families to take the pledge to reduce waste in their homes and communities.

Tom's of Maine gives 10% of profits back to helping people and the planet. You can learn more about Tom's of Maine and how the company makes its products by visiting www.TomsofMaine.com and www.Facebook.com/TomsofMaine.

About Tom's of Maine
Tom's of Maine is a leading natural products company focused on oral and personal care carrying high quality toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss, antiperspirant, deodorant, bar soap, lip balm and baby shampoo and lotion products. Our Stewardship Model guides every decision we make ensuring that our ingredients, processing, and packaging meet our rigorous standards for being natural, sustainable, and responsible. For over 45 years, Tom's of Maine has invested in hundreds of nonprofit efforts by giving 10% of its profits back to organizations that support people and the planet and by encouraging employees to use 5% (12 days) of paid time to volunteer. Tom's of Maine employees regularly contribute suggestions for improving the company's high sustainability standards. And their ideas, from wind power to ways to improve recycled and recyclable packaging options, are critical to the company's sensitive way of doing business. Most Tom's of Maine products are vegan, kosher and halal certified and gluten-free. All packaging is recyclable through a partnership with upcycling leader TerraCycle or participating municipalities. Tom's of Maine values partnering with its consumers, suppliers and community organizations to support lasting, positive change that is good for people and the planet. To learn more visit us online at http://www.tomsofmaine.com/ or at http://www.facebook.com/TomsofMaine.

About TerraCycle
Founded in 2001, TerraCycle, Inc., is the world's leader in the collection and repurposing of hard-to-recycle post-consumer waste, ranging from used chip bags to coffee capsules to cigarette butts. The waste is collected through free, national, brand-funded recycling programs, as well as various consumer and government-funded models. The collected waste is reused, upcycled or recycled into a variety of affordable, sustainable consumer products and industrial applications. Each year, across 20 countries, TerraCycle collects and repurposes billions of pieces of waste, donating millions of dollars to schools and charities in the process. TerraCycle is the subject of a new half-hour comedy, 'Human Resources,' on Pivot TV. Season three will air Fall 2016. To learn more about TerraCycle or get involved in our recycling programs, please visit www.terracycle.com.

¹ Environmental Protection Agency. (2016). Municipal Solid Waste. Retrieved from http://www3.epa.gov/epawaste/nonhaz/municipal.

² Eco Lunchbox. (2016). Lunch Study. Retrieved from http://ecolunchboxes.com/lunchstudy.

³ Carry Your Cup. (2010). The Facts. Retrieved from http://www.carryyourcup.org/get-the-facts.

⁴Huffington Post. (2014). 17 Ridiculously Easy Things You Can Do To Help Save The Earth Every Day. Retrieved from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/22/easy-ways-to-save-earth_n_5168684.html.

⁵41Pounds.org. (2016). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.41pounds.org/about.

SOURCE Tom's of Maine