The tale of TerraCycle is a tale of ultimate Eco-Capitalism. The company’s flagship product, TerraCycle Plant Food, is an all-natural, all-organic, ‘goof-proof’ liquid plant food made from waste (worm poop) and packaged in waste (reused soda bottles).
It all started in 2001 when two Princeton University students set out to change the way people do business. Inspired by a box of worms, these students had a dream: a company could be financially successful while being ecologically and socially responsible.
Co-founders Tom Szaky and Jon Beyer were determined to turn the worm box concept into a real-life, commercially viable process. That summer, they developed prototype equipment and proved their concept was feasible by reprocessing solid waste from dining halls at Princeton University.
“[The] story is a reminder about following your dreams. The pot of gold may require dealing with a ton of crap.” — CBS Evening News
“They smelled horrible, tasted worse, but they were proven…”
The CanRepel story is one of innovative, organic pest repellent solutions. CanRepel’s latest formula, TerraCycle Deer Repellent, made a splash in Home Depot across America in 2008. From simple beginnings in Tony’s grandfather’s basement comes the story of CanRepel. Tony Hornby, Tony’s namesake grandfather, invented two deer repellent formulas in the mid 1990′s. “They smelled horrible, tasted worse, but they were a proven solution to ravenous deer.”
Upon graduating from the University of Western Ontario Tony set out to execute his plan to market and sell his grandfather’s potions at affordable prices on a larger scale. An eco-partnership between CanRepel Products Inc. and TerraCycle Inc. bloomed in 2008. The TerraCycle Deer Repellent was sold at Home Depot; this product was developed exclusively for TerraCycle by CanRepeland is totally organic and clean smelling formula.
All CanRepel powered TerraCycle products are packaged entirely in waste and are among the most eco-friendly products in the world.
Tony Harris Enterprises Inc. maintains a shareholder position in TerraCycle.
