In this insightful episode, we speak with Tom Szaky, the founder and CEO of TerraCycle, a global leader in waste management and recycling innovation. Tom’s mission? To repurpose complex waste streams and create circular solutions for items that are often too challenging to recycle, like cigarette butts, dirty diapers, and even used chewing gum. With operations in 21 countries, TerraCycle partners with some of the world’s largest brands and retailers to develop platforms that prevent waste from ending up in landfills or incineration.

Tom’s journey to founding TerraCycle began almost 20 years ago, starting as a company that transformed organic waste into fertilizer. His entrepreneurial spark was ignited during a Princeton college class, where he was disappointed by the traditional business mindset of maximizing shareholder profit. This led him to leave school after just one year to launch TerraCycle—an innovative company focused on creating value from human-made waste.

In this conversation, Tom shares some surprising truths about the waste management industry, including the fact that everything will eventually be owned by a waste company—an industry that, despite its significance, has seen minimal innovation and investment. He also debunks a common myth about CO2 emissions from transportation and the reality that producing new items generally has a far higher carbon footprint.

One of the exciting projects Tom discusses is Loop, a groundbreaking circular shopping platform that allows consumers to buy products in durable, reusable packaging. Partnering with major brands, Loop offers a sustainable alternative to single-use packaging, allowing consumers to shop without the waste.

Tom also shares his thoughts on greenwashing, cautioning companies against overstating their sustainability efforts. His mantra? "You should not be afraid to make something (sustainable) small, but just don’t make it look like it is big!" He also offers practical advice for how retailers and manufacturers can begin their sustainability journey—emphasizing the importance of engaging customers early on.

Lastly, we explore when reusable containers, such as those for shampoo, are truly sustainable and when they may not be. Tom’s insights will inspire anyone looking to make their business or personal consumption more sustainable and help demystify the complex world of waste and recycling.