1. Presented By: Lucas Ho, Princeton University ’14 10/7/11

2. Background Interned at TerraCycle in Trenton, NJ Founders include two former Princeton students (‘05), Tom Szaky and Jon Beyer TerraCycle isn’t your run of the mill recycling company, as it focuses on finding new uses for unrecyclable waste (classic example: making backpacks out of juice pouches)

3. Focus of Internship Turn waste in to treasure and thus improve sustainability Basically centered on a more effective way to manage waste, which was upcycling/recycling unrecyclable waste Sought to find ways objects that were previously thrown in to landfills could be effectively harnessed

4. Internship Activities Examined some of the largest waste streams and their constitutions, researched the materials’ properties, and devised new uses for these waste streams Started with researching ways that textile and plastic recycling could be made more effective and environmentally friendly Then, moved on to e-cycling and silk, gum, diaper, and cigarette butt recycling Interspersed: my own pursuits such as super glue resistant gloves and uranium extraction

5. Skills Developed and Insights Gained Skills Developed: Inspecting patents, research skills, self-guided exploration, technical knowledge, cold calling Found various new applications for waste streams, especially when I arranged the floppy disk inventory to be shipped to an artist who uses the disks as canvas Personal commitment to pursuing an academic track and career involving sustainability strengthened Realized the prevalence of teamwork in the business world Saw how ideas are implemented in companies Learned what the differences between the corporate and academic/student worlds are

6. Acknowledgements Dr. Ernie Simpson, my mentor/supervisor and TerraCycle’s VP of Global R&D Tom Szaky, founder and CEO TerraCycle staff PEI for the funding