TerraCycle takes on waste the rest of the world ignores—cigarette butts, diapers, pharmaceutical blister packs. But what makes the model work isn’t what they recycle. It’s how they get companies to pay for it.
Even with one of the most ambitious missions in climate tech—eliminate the idea of waste—TerraCycle doesn’t lead with sustainability. It leads with business logic.
In this episode, founder Tom Szaky shares how the company has grown for 23 straight years by solving a problem no one wanted: how to turn unprofitable waste streams into brand and operational value. Salons use recycling to drive bookings. Labs use it to retain top talent. Big brands use it to earn loyalty. Every program works because it helps someone grow.
He also explains why his second company, Loop, is scaling fast in France and Japan. The reason isn’t culture. It’s the right rules and incentives.
This is a conversation about turning materials with negative value into real business drivers—so waste stays out of the landfill, and the value shows up on the P&L.
Show Notes
Guest: Tom Szaky, CEO
Company: TerraCycle
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