Natick North Face Store Recycles Polybags with TerraCycle

The following was submitted by TerraCycle, a recycling company based in New Jersey.

In just over a year and a half, 21 The North Face® stores across the country have recycled more than one million plastic polybags through a program with upcycling and recycling pioneer, TerraCycle. The Natick store on Worcester Street is one of the stores that has contributed to keeping the one million bags or 20 tons out of landfills. Through this program, The North Face, the world’s premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, and TerraCycle are actively pursuing a solution to a common packaging waste problem in the apparel industry.

Until this partnership between The North Face and TerraCycle, the 21 stores were not able to readily recycle the polyethylene bags that protect apparel through distribution and transit. Now, the bags will be recycled into a variety of different products such as plastic lumber, bike racks and pavers.

“TerraCycle has been an important partner in helping The North Face address the challenging issue of plastic bag recycling,” said Adam Mott, The North Face Senior Corporate Sustainability Manager. “In markets where existing infrastructure doesn’t exist, The North Face Polybag Brigade® ensures that these bags are recycled and kept out of landfills.”

Apparel magazine recognized The North Face in its 2011 “Sustainability All-Stars” program as one of five businesses determined to make a difference for people and planet. The award honors The North Face for demonstrating specific steps to make the business more sustainable, including the polybag recycling program with TerraCycle.