Tom Szaky

Tom Szaky

NJ, US
Sustainability Speaker, Founder & CEO of TerraCycle

Tom Szaky is founder and CEO of TerraCycle, a global leader in the collection and repurposing of complex waste streams. TerraCycle operates in 21 countries, working with some of the world's largest brands, retailers and manufacturers to create national platforms to recycle products and packaging that currently go to landfill or incineration.

Through TerraCycle, Tom is creating circular solutions for hundreds of waste streams such as cigarette butts, dirty diapers and used chewing gum that otherwise have no path to be recycled. TerraCycle operates the largest supply chain for ocean plastic in the world, partnering with companies to integrate this material into their packaging.

In January 2019, TerraCycle, along with 25 top consumer products companies and retailers announced a new e-commerce shopping platform called Loop that will enable consumers to shop for some of their favorite brands in durable, reusable packaging. Launching in May, Loop is a key step in helping to end the epidemic of waste that is caused by 'single use' consumption.

Tom and TerraCycle have received hundreds of social, environmental and business awards and recognition from a range of organizations including the United Nations, World Economic Forum, Fortune Magazine and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Tom is the author of four books, "Revolution in a Bottle" (2009), "Outsmart Waste" (2014), "Make Garbage Great" (2015) and "The Future of Packaging" (2019). Tom created, produced and starred in TerraCycle's reality show, "Human Resources" which aired on Pivot from 2014-2016 and is syndicated in more than 20 foreign markets on Amazon and iTunes.

Tom Szaky is founder and CEO of TerraCycle, a global leader in the collection and repurposing of complex waste streams. TerraCycle operates in 21 countries, working with some of the world's largest brands, retailers and manufacturers to create national platforms to recycle products and packaging that currently go to landfill or incineration.

Through TerraCycle, Tom is creating circular solutions for hundreds of waste streams such as cigarette butts, dirty diapers and used chewing gum that otherwise have no path to be recycled. TerraCycle operates the largest supply chain for ocean plastic in the world, partnering with companies to integrate this material into their packaging.

In January 2019, TerraCycle, along with 25 top consumer products companies and retailers announced a new e-commerce shopping platform called Loop that will enable consumers to shop for some of their favorite brands in durable, reusable packaging. Launching in May, Loop is a key step in helping to end the epidemic of waste that is caused by 'single use' consumption.

Tom and TerraCycle have received hundreds of social, environmental and business awards and recognition from a range of organizations including the United Nations, World Economic Forum, Fortune Magazine and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Tom is the author of four books, "Revolution in a Bottle" (2009), "Outsmart Waste" (2014), "Make Garbage Great" (2015) and "The Future of Packaging" (2019). Tom created, produced and starred in TerraCycle's reality show, "Human Resources" which aired on Pivot from 2014-2016 and is syndicated in more than 20 foreign markets on Amazon and iTunes.

Negative-Cost Marketing

TV stations, newspapers, radio stations and even blogs are in the business of disseminating great content, to entice us to tune in and spend time watching their channel or reading their copy. But content costs money to create, and so the media outlets turn to advertisers who buy up adspace to place their marketing messages. This has been the daily dance, many times played out in a "church vs. state" kind of manner - where editorial content and advertising content are kept religiously...
Educational / Informative

Making the Impossible Possible

Hear about Tom's success in starting a company, developing an innovative culture within the company and ultimately achieving success. This is the story of TerraCycle, from idea to 100% growth per year for five years, in over 10,000 big box stores, and growing. All products made from and packaged in waste. Cover of Inc. Magazine, full page NY Times and WS Journal stories and hundreds of stories annually.
Inspirational / Life-changing

Understanding the Dynamics and Economics of Waste

What are opportunities in today's environment? How can you see and capitalize on hidden assets and grow businesses in a constrained economy? The keys are quality, pricing, innovation and customer engagement. Using examples from TerraCycle, Tom Szaky explains the importance of a big idea, whether social mission or in a larger service context.

Szaky tells how to generate disproportionate press and to attract participation from your customers, laying out a strategic sales strategy with...

Educational / Informative

Negative-Cost Marketing

TV stations, newspapers, radio stations and even blogs are in the business of disseminating great content, to entice us to tune in and spend time watching their channel or reading their copy. But content costs money to create, and so the media outlets turn to advertisers who buy up ad space to place their marketing messages. This has been the daily dance, many times played out in a "church vs. state" kind of manner - where editorial content and advertising content are kept religiously...
Audience ActivityEducational / Informative

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