If TerraCycle is one thing, it’s committed. Committed to its mission, as well as the state and city where it launched.

While the circumstances that led co-founder and CEO Tom Szaky to New Jersey were circumstantial (he attended Princeton University), the decision to build a business here has since been intentional. Based in Trenton, Szaky has described the capital city as a capital location for entrepreneurs.

“What has cemented us here is, honestly, Trenton more than anything else. Because I found a town that is wonderful as a Petri dish for growing a business, especially a purpose-driven business,” he told NJBIZ earlier this year, highlighting the local talent pool, the area’s affordability and the support from city hall.

Perpetually profitable since 2015, TerraCycle posted about $75 million in revenue in 2023, with expectations that it will continue to grow in 2024. The rising income coincides with the company’s rising profile.

And the activity is having a catalytic effect. In October, TerraCycle debuted a new, on-site, state-of-the-art research & development facility at its Trenton base.

“Well, we’re ecstatic that TerraCycle has made a commitment to the capital city. Any other company, as they’re growing, they would look to be moving out,” Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora told NJBIZ at the unveiling for the new The Dr. Ernel Simpson Research & Development Center. “But Tom has really made a commitment here to expand right here. We’re also investing ourselves in the North Ward. We got a choice neighborhood grant with the federal government to take down some of the old houses and make workforce housing here. So, even TerraCycle employees could be able to move into the neighborhood and walk to work. “We’re all about sustainability and innovation and Tom has just really made that mold,” Gusciora said.