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Mar 28, 2008

"To forget how to dig the earth and tend the soil is to forget ourselves." --Mahatma Gandhi

Garden Variety Revolution

Earthworms are the original recyclers. They eat garbage, shred plant residue, and then spread the broken-down matter as they burrow into the ground.The worms also mix and aerate the soil, improve its drainage, and provide channels for roots to take hold. With the help of a talented social entrepreneur, hard work, and good luck, earthworms are making history again at TerraCycle Inc. The eco-friendly gardening supply company, which turns worm castings into organic liquid plant fertilizer, is affirming the green movement's place in mainstream business. Terra Cycle makes organic plant food, but also uses recycled soda bottles and other recycled containers to package all its products. Although the company purchases most of its recycled packaging from professional suppliers, it also reimburses charities and schoolchildren for sending in their recyclables. The Stanford Social Innovation Review profiles Terra Cycle.