preserve everyday

Earth Efforts

At Recycline, environmental stewardship is a consistent thread running through our individual and corporate actions. Here are just a few of the ways we are lessening our impact on the environment:

We use recycled and environment-friendly materials for our products and packaging

•	We assess every component of our products including the materials from which they’re made, the way they’re manufactured, the packaging in which they’re sold, and the distance they travel to get to our consumers. We pay attention to every step of this process and continuously seek new approaches to make it even more environmentally sustainable.
•	To date our products have used nearly 100 tons of recycled plastic. By using recycled plastics we significantly reduce both the pollution emitted and energy consumed in the exploration, drilling, transporting and refining of oil into petrochemicals that are used to make new plastic.
•	We support the efforts of others to preserve the Earth by reducing waste and using recycled materials. Specifically, we work to increase the demand for and create a better market of recycled #5 polypropylene plastic, a popular plastic of packaging for foods like yogurt, hummus and sour cream!
•	Our packaging is environment friendly. We use renewable or recycled materials whenever possible. We design our packaging to be reusable, like the Preserve toothbrush’s travel case. In addition we choose packaging materials that are either recyclable in most towns or through our mail-back program.
•	We design and manufacture our products to last. And all of our plastic products are ultimately recyclable.

We do not use toxic, harmful chemicals

•	We work with the safest plastics we can identify and steer clear of questionable plastics like #6 polystyrene.
•	Preservers tell us they love our fun, vivid colors and so do we. We work closely with our color supplier to make sure they do not contain any heavy metals or environmentally harmful additives.

We seek to make our products regionally

Recycline makes nearly all of our products in the United States, working with U.S. manufacturers. This practice benefits our local economy and also reduces the CO2 emissions that would be generated by transportation of products to the United States from other countries. Sometimes we need to extend just beyond the border to guarantee quality and environmentally responsible manufacturing, so the blades for our Preserve razors are produced in Mexico.

No animal testing

Recycline has a no animal testing policy. Period. We support and have signed the Corporate Standard of Compassion for Animals.

Clean energy and energy reduction

Recycline’s office is powered by wind. We buy energy credits from American Wind to offset our office power. At our offices, we light our surroundings with the sun and dress for the seasons to keep energy consumption down.

Support of environmental research and development

We believe that growing environmental awareness and technological innovation present significant opportunities for manufacturers to reduce waste, conserve energy and eliminate pollution. Here are a couple of projects we are involved with that are working toward those goals.

•	Increasing the capture of #5 plastics. In order to help develop systems in municipal recycling facilities to capture more #5 plastics, we have engaged in research to determine whether the same systems and procedures that exist to make use of #1 and #2 plastics can also be used to manage the growing quantity of #5 plastics. Dedication to the most common recycled plastics, #1 and #2, can often leave the #5s out in the cold, or in the less useful bin of mixed plastics.
•	Opening the market for biodegradable plastics. We believe that plant-based, biodegradable materials hold enormous promise for the future of the plastics industry. Life cycle analyses of these types of plastics show that they can reduce energy use, pollution and waste. We are working with our partners to bring to market several products made from innovative biodegradable plastics.

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Increasing the capture of #5 plastics. In order to help develop systems in municipal recycling facilities to capture more #5 plastics, we have engaged in research to determine whether the same systems and procedures that exist to make use of #1 and #2 plastics can also be used to manage the growing quantity of #5 plastics. Dedication to the most common recycled plastics, #1 and #2, can often leave the #5s out in the cold, or in the less useful bin of mixed plastics.

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Opening the market for biodegradable plastics. We believe that plant-based, biodegradable materials hold enormous promise for the future of the plastics industry. Life cycle analyses of these types of plastics show that they can reduce energy use, pollution and waste. We are working with our partners to bring to market several products made from innovative biodegradable plastics.

Support of non-profit and community organizations

Recycline supports several non-profit and community organizations through our marketing efforts and our personal commitments. Here are a few:

•	City of Cambridge , Massachusetts Recycling Advisory Committee
•	MassRecycle Board of Directors
•	Environmental Entrepreneurs
•	National Wildlife Federation
•	Responsible Business Alliance
•	Social Venture Network
•	Coop America
•	Natural Resources Defense Council

Environmental awards

Recycline is recognized for our environmental track record.

•	The Environmental Protection Agency recognized Recycline in 1997 as a "Partner for Change."

"The efforts undertaken by Recycline prove that businesses can green the economy while staying in the black."

John P. DeVillars, Administrator of the E.P.A.'s New England Office

•	The Environmental Protection Agency recognized Recycline in 2004 as part of their "Green Power Leadership Club."
•	Organic Architect presented Recycline with the Organic Design Award for the Preserve Toothbrush in 2004.

This is a journey for all of us. We are committed to a process of continuous improvement to reduce our impact on the environment.