Church Recognized for Recycling Efforts

St. Paul’s United Methodist Church has been recognized as one of top collectors of cereal bags in the MOM Brands Cereal Bag Brigade.

This national recycling program was created by a partnership between MOM Brands and TerraCycle. By collecting waste from its MOM Brands cereal packaging, the church has helped to divert 4,895 units of cereal bag waste from landfills.

“We’re so excited that St. Paul’s United Methodist Church has decided to pair with us to make such a great impact on our environment,” says TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky. “We’d like to recognize them for what they have achieved so far, and can’t wait to see what they continue to collect.”

After signing up to join the recycling brigade, schools and organizations earn points for every unit of waste they collect and send to TerraCycle. The points can be redeemed for charitable gifts or a cash donation to the nonprofit or school of the collector’s choice. TerraCycle recycles the traditionally non-recyclable cereal bag waste into new products and materials.

The church, located at 250 E. College Ave., has sent a mission team to Nicaragua for 11 consecutive years to help provide children with school supplies. School is free there, but families cannot afford the child’s backpack, pencils and other necessities.

“It costs $15 for a new backpack, filled with all necessary school supplies,” says Barbara Taylor, a church member. “We have earned over $177 since starting this brigade. This helps almost 12 kids go to school for free for a whole year … just by not putting cereal bags in a landfill.”

Anyone interested in recycling with TerraCycle can learn more about the brigades and sign up at www.terracycle.com.