Material Mix Marketplace at a Glance 6.6.2014
Material Mix Offers Subscription Promotion - Join Today! 12.13.2013
We are excited to serve the recycling community with unprecedented networking and inventory management. Our mission is to become the global standard for sustainable materials management by providing:
Kaitlin Balmert, kbalmert@materialmix.com
New users are joining Material Mix daily! With nearly 3,000 registered users world-wide, the growth of MM continues with new features, opportunities, and tools for recyclers and traders. In this infographic, take a closer look at the top 10 active countries on MM by number of users. See what all the buzz is about, register today and start listing your reusable materials!
New users are joining Material Mix daily! With nearly 3,000 registered users world-wide, the growth of MM continues with new features, opportunities, and tools for recyclers and traders. In this infographic, take a closer look at the top 10 active countries on MM by number of users. See what all the buzz is about, register today and start listing your reusable materials!
Material Mix Offers Subscription Promotion - Join Today! 12.13.2013
Kaitlin Balmert, kbalmert@materialmix.com
Material
Mix is gearing up to release the features you have been waiting
for! To our valued customers we are offering a free 12-month upgrade. If you haven’t signed up yet, don’t fret!
Register before December 18th to gain exclusive Pro Access. Sign up here!
With Material
Mix´s new cloud-based Inventory Management System (IMS), recyclers may now:
- Update pricing
- Monitor availability of commodity inventory in real-time
- Bulk upload items via excel spreadsheet
- And hand-pick listings to share publicly on the exchange
Available
inventory for each user is then showcased on a personalized company homepage and promoted on the public forum. Material Mix is the first
exchange to integrate LinkedIn content for user profiles, which promotes B2B
networking, lowers transactional barriers, and builds trust. All of this, coming
your way soon!
View detailed
subscription benefits below.
We are excited to serve the recycling community with unprecedented networking and inventory management. Our mission is to become the global standard for sustainable materials management by providing:
- An efficient marketplace with benchmark pricing
- Comprehensive, automated waste reporting
- Transactional continuity and security
- Standardized best practices for industrial resource management
- Connectivity among recycling stakeholders
- Sign up at MaterialMix.com today!
Corporate Sustainability Plans: Friend or Foe? 11.15.2013
Kaitlin Balmert, kbalmert@materialmix.com
As 2014 approaches, participation in corporate sustainability programs is on the rise. These programs are designed to create long-term consumer and employee value by implementing “green” strategies into business plans. But are corporate sustainability plans living up to their full potential?
A recent study by GreenBiz Group observed numerous trends regarding corporate sustainability programs. CFOs as well as employees are emerging as key players in sustainability. Greenhouse gas reporting and reduction efforts have remained strong, and interest in water usage, efficiency, and stewardship is increasing. Company stakeholder interest in sustainable sourcing and availability of raw materials fundamental to a company’s operation have seen significant growth.
These trends suggest that sustainability efforts are becoming well-integrated into corporate plans for both large and midsized companies. However, the effectiveness of measuring corporate sustainability efforts may be limited or disallowed by some internal systems due to lack of understanding of ROI or poorly understood risks of inadequate action.
A growing environmental awareness interest in sustainability leads many
companies to explore the formation of their own sustainability program.
However, the most critical success factor is financial benefit. A report by Massachusetts Institute of Technology revealed that attempting action on
sustainability resulted in a decrease in profits for many companies, but
organizations that set clear goals and
developed a targeted plan saw a link between responsible business practices and
profits. The most common positive outcomes of embracing sustainability were
improved brand reputation, increased competitive advantage, and better
innovation.
Popularity of corporate sustainability is at an all-time peak. When implemented correctly, it provides positive impacts for both the company and the environment.
Check out these 6 proactive strategies to make your sustainability program effective and profitable.
Kaitlin Balmert, kbalmert@materialmix.com
As 2014 approaches, participation in corporate sustainability programs is on the rise. These programs are designed to create long-term consumer and employee value by implementing “green” strategies into business plans. But are corporate sustainability plans living up to their full potential?
A recent study by GreenBiz Group observed numerous trends regarding corporate sustainability programs. CFOs as well as employees are emerging as key players in sustainability. Greenhouse gas reporting and reduction efforts have remained strong, and interest in water usage, efficiency, and stewardship is increasing. Company stakeholder interest in sustainable sourcing and availability of raw materials fundamental to a company’s operation have seen significant growth.
These trends suggest that sustainability efforts are becoming well-integrated into corporate plans for both large and midsized companies. However, the effectiveness of measuring corporate sustainability efforts may be limited or disallowed by some internal systems due to lack of understanding of ROI or poorly understood risks of inadequate action.
A growing environmental awareness interest in sustainability leads many
companies to explore the formation of their own sustainability program.
However, the most critical success factor is financial benefit. A report by Massachusetts Institute of Technology revealed that attempting action on
sustainability resulted in a decrease in profits for many companies, but
organizations that set clear goals and
developed a targeted plan saw a link between responsible business practices and
profits. The most common positive outcomes of embracing sustainability were
improved brand reputation, increased competitive advantage, and better
innovation.Popularity of corporate sustainability is at an all-time peak. When implemented correctly, it provides positive impacts for both the company and the environment.
Check out these 6 proactive strategies to make your sustainability program effective and profitable.
Material Mix Marketplace at a Glance 10.16.2013
Colors of Recycling: A Closer Look at Standardized Labels 10.4.2013
Recycling can be frustrating
Sometimes, doing the
right thing for the planet takes extra time, especially when it comes to deciphering
recycling signage.
We have all been
there: You have just finished a refreshing (insert favorite summer beverage
here) at the park or downtown. And as you survey the horizon for a recycling bin,
you spot one in the distance. Eureka! Upon nearing the receptacle, you are met
with a daunting array of over-engineered signs, flowcharts, and instructions. Frantic
to get on with your day, you pick one at random and hope for the best.
A colorful solution
Thankfully, Recycle Across America (RAA) is striving to change this. And Material Mix supports their vision.
Thankfully, Recycle Across America (RAA) is striving to change this. And Material Mix supports their vision.
RAA is a non-profit solution initiated and funded by the Environmental Advancement Foundation that focuses on introducing solutions to make recycling simple, comprehensive, and effective in the United States.
Inconsistent
labels lead to confusion and skepticism among would-be recyclers. U.S.
recycling levels are low with little improvement over the past 15 years. To
combat this, RAA implemented a standardized labels initiative, which was
initially proposed by Michelle Hedlund during a keynote presentation to the
executive committee at the 2009 SWANA Recycling Conference.
At
the time, a national standard for colored labels had not yet existed. RAA began
with a clean palate and gathered input from a variety of industry leaders. Since
then, their initiative has been embraced and readily adopted by industry
leaders and brands.
How are Material Mix´s recycling categories
color-coded?
Category
colors on MaterialMix.com are aligned with the industry gold standard developed
by RAA. In addition, Material Mix has developed iconography specific to industrial
recycling that translates well regardless of scale – from a computer screen
down to a mobile device.
The
standardized labels effort will continue to have a long-lasting impact on consumers,
industrial recyclers, and the environment. Global brands that have adopted
these labels reported over 50 percent increases in their recycling levels thus
saving thousands in trash hauling.
Don’t
let your garbage go to waste! Join the movement by purchasing standardized
labels for your business here.
Scam and Security: What Every Scrap Dealer Needs to Know 9.20.2013
When it comes to online trade,
transactional security is a primary concern among recycling professionals.
Brokering secondary commodities presents a number of risk factors, including the possibility of contamination or off-spec inventory.
Honest mistakes happen. But how do you know if a potential supplier has your best interest in mind? As many tenured brokers know, the recycling market has a dark side.
The industry is booming and
full of opportunity. New scrap dealers are cutting their teeth on their first few
deals. But scam artists abound, and prey on the inexperienced trader. Identifying
a “Scammer” early on can save you thousands in lost inventory and legal fees.So what´s the oldest trick in the book? Scammers have made a habit of pulling photos from legitimate recycling sites, and re-posting fake listings that lure dealers in. Once a broker is on the line, the scammer will request payment terms that require cash up front, and ultimately take payment from a buyer who will never see a product in return.
What can dealers do to protect themselves? Here are some tips from our most trusted clients:
- Be aware of suspicious payment terms such as requiring cash up front
- Request spec docs and letters of credit from all new suppliers
- Screen listings for “copy + pasted” text, misspellings, or improper zip code format
- Benchmark current prices, and be wary of deals that are too far below market value
- Investigate the seller’s background in online scam forums
- Copy inventory photos into a search engine like Google image – if they come up on multiple exchanges or websites, it is likely a scam
- Use an aerial map search to verify the shipping address – if it is a city or residential location with no visible warehouse, be on high alert
- Leverage your network – pick up the phone and dial a local broker to verify the scrap yard… they will be glad to help
What is Material Mix doing to increase security? Here are some features we are working on to curb this behavior:
- Peer review rating system: Brokers will soon be able to rate their transacting partners, with the feedback rating visible on each user´s profile
- Flag listings: Any listing or user that might be abusing the system may be flagged by users for review
- Price benchmarking: Providing a range of current prices for each industry helps inexperienced brokers identify deals that are ¨too good to be true¨ if the price/unit is an extreme outlier
If you see a listing that appears unwholesome (or have scam prevention tips to share), please contact us at info@materialmix.com. Material Mix is working to
have these features functioning in the near future. Stay tuned!
8 Tips for Channeling Creativity at Work 5.17.2013
Excerpts from SPARK
The topic of COCABiz’s
recent 2013
SPARK Business Creativity Conference was
“Putting Creativity to Work.” I was invited to share a story of how
creativity guide my start-up process over the last two years.
My findings are summarized below:
1.
Experiment This process begins with experimentation. I am originally from Oregon, I moved to California to study Environmental Policy, and then finally found myself in St. Louis, where I earned my MBA. Along the way, I dabbled in tree hugging, underwater research, environmental policy, and finally (ironically) business. From this experimentation, I gained perspective.
2. Indulge
This leads me to my second bullet point, which is; indulge your curiosities. Grant yourself a ration of whimsy and freedom every day. Curiosity can lead to a depth of understanding, creative inspiration, and ultimately – opportunity. For me, the kernel of inspiration for my own business came from observation and holistic understanding of a problem I saw in my field.
3. Fail I fail miserably at something every day. As a small business owner, creative problem solving is a daily exercise. And I have found that my best ideas come from necessity - when I am forced to work with less, or under unexpected or non-optimal circumstances.
And in this
process of failing, be present. Acknowledge your emotions,
experience them, understand them, but don’t linger. Keep moving forward. And
know that for every failure, there is an equal opportunity.
4. Practice Creativity
As much as we love our jobs, sometimes work can be just plain boring. There are two things I try to do each day that help me recharge after a long day of meetings, emails, and staring at my computer.
The first is to build something with your hands – this allows your mind to relax and find a calm creative space. It could be as simple as cooking dinner from scratch, tinkering in the shop, writing, gardening, helping your kids with a project, or even -- cleaning!
Second – take time to wander. Take a new rout home or stroll through your neighborhood. Getting a new perspective helps the mind re-focus.
5. Take
(Calculated) Risks As humans, our fear of loss outweighs our desire for potential gain. Entrepreneurs are often pegged as risk takers. However, this is incorrect. The most successful entrepreneurs I know are calculated risk takers, with a great depth of knowledge in their chosen field.
And -- every one of us is an expert in something. Understanding a problem reduces risk and empowers experts to act on their ideas.
5. Collaborate
In a small organization, each person has a greater impact, and it’s so important to surround yourself with the right people. The more people I involved as mentors, colleagues, and beta customers – the more real the idea became.
6. Know
Yourself I don’t know about you all, but I spend a LOT of time at the office. Ask yourself; what do you need to be productive? Natural light? Plants? Privacy?
Create that environment, and provide yourself with the resources you need to be inspired.
8. The Right Crowd
Lastly, surround yourself with positive people that support your ideas. In the startup world, we are conditioned to find our brand “evangelists”. In your creative journey, find the people who are your personal evangelists, and allow yourself the opportunity to cultivate meaningful relationships.
For more info on COCAbiz and their programming schedule, you can visit their site here. They rock!
Alli Carmen, acarmen@materialmix.com
Originally published by Arch Grants
Bridging the Recycling Gap
The Midwest is endowed with a higher concentration of manufactures
than anywhere else in the country. Pair this advantage with a
well-established network of recyclable commodity buyers, and it is clear
that this region is strategically positioned to lead the country in
sustainable materials management.
At
a global level, there is an urgent need for businesses to reduce their
environmental impact. In the US alone, manufacturers generate over 170
million tons of waste each year. About 34% of this material is reusable,
and is often worth twice over what it costs to throw it out. There is a
large, under-served market seeking these reusable materials.
Implementing sustainable materials management is an easy (an often
overlooked) way to reduce operating expenses and promote collaborative
industrial byproduct synergies.
Why Sustainable Materials Management?
Efficient materials management is a progressive way for businesses to
network resources locally, foster synergistic business-to-business
relationships, reduce operating expenses, improve efficiency, and
surpass regulatory targets. Reusing the commodities we have on hand
reduces energy spent on mining and transporting virgin resources from
the environment. Moreover, there is an emerging waste-to-energy market,
supported by a robust network of Midwest-based technology innovators in
need of niche feedstock for their unique technology needs.
Increase Transparency, Reduce Risk
Material Mix connects
manufacturers with complementary waste and recycling professionals
seeking reusable inventory. Moreover, we provide best practices and
regulatory resources to guide our clients to make informed purchasing
decisions.
Material Mix is a
disruptive web-based exchange platform that commoditizes the trade of
industrial byproducts within the current waste collection industry;
helping waste and recycling professionals reduce operating expenses,
recover investment on inventory, and monetize the trade of their
recyclables. In short, Material Mix saves time and money in a sustainable way.
Our mission is to create a comprehensive waste/recycling solution by achieving the following:
- Providing a secure, efficient, and profitable venue for brokering reusable/recyclable inventory
- Engaging waste and recycling stakeholders
- Establishing and promoting best practices for resource management
Material Mix provides an end-to-end ecosystem for waste and recycling professionals. At Material Mix, our
challenge is to provide a secure means of reducing overhead without
disrupting “business as usual” for our customers. We provide a unique
software solution that addresses the specialized needs of industrial
manufacturers, construction & demolition professionals, and
small/medium business owners alike. Material Mix aims to enhance the financial and environmental well-being of our customers and their community.
Barriers to Clean-Tech Manufacturing 2.7.2013
Re-imagining the Past
Sustainability is neither a PR bullet point, nor a fuzzy green feeling. Sustainability is smart. Sustainability is being resourceful. It’s long-term planning, resource endowment, and improving operational and fiscal efficiency.
Sustainability is the capacity to endure (what every start-up dreams
of). It is the underlying principal that allows our country’s most
beloved game-changing industrialist up starts; like Ford, Dow Chemical
Company, and John Deere; to continue to grow their brand over
generations.
The American industrial revolution was catalyzed by a perfect storm
of underlying environmental and political conditions that supported
immediate and exponential growth in new ideas in manufacturing.
| Growth Catalyst | Then | Now |
| Game changing ideas | Cotton cloth, interchangeable parts | Alternative fuel, six sigma |
| Urbanization | Working-class migration | High-tech migration |
| Communication breakthroughs | Telegraph | Social connectivity via the internet |
| Flattening of the supply chain | Railroads, steam engine technology | Multinational corps, lean logistics |
Today a new wave of innovation in science, engineering, and education is sparking a second period of accelerated growth in manufacturing; driven by the same underlying success factors.
Clean-Tech Needs a New Message
Manufacturers are often characterized by a Midwestern etiquette,
engrained resourcefulness, and “no nonsense” business accounting. At a
glance this industry is a perfect fit for Triple Bottom Line (people,
planet, profit) practices.
So why do contemporary clean-tech startups struggled to gain traction? The issue is complex. Operating in a burgeoning industry has its own challenges: longer sales cycles, uncertain and hard-won regulatory support, political regionalism, and a high-cost infrastructure.
However, at the heart of the issue is a something much more human – broken trust. “Green” technology is continually over-hyped by consumers, media, and the companies themselves. Consumer and investors alike have been misled by green-washed promises and inadequate ROI.
The biggest challenge true clean-tech startups must overcome is rebuilding this trust – through methodological consistency, execution of strong corporate ethics, and the implementation of a results-driven strategy.
To achieve this, emphasis must be placed on corporate risk assessment, full transparency, global standardization of best practices for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), and environmental accounting. To allow new ideas to flourish; there must be cooperation between business, government, and social institutions.
Saint Louis: Just Doin’ It
Saint Louis serves as a hospitable ecosystem for vetting new innovations in sustainability and business. Our active and empowered community, robust resource endowment, and strong regional infrastructure present an optimized habitat for entrepreneurial synthesis and gestation. Moreover, the city has emerged as a thought leader in supporting big ideas that re-shape the community and industrial landscape.
As an Arch Grantee, business person, tree-hugger, and St. Louisianan transplant; it is my hope to take an active role in this industrialist movement and support St. Louis in re-branding Missouri as a progressive and innovative community of doers.
Going "All In" with Entrepreneurship 11.7.2012
Alli Carmen, acarmen@materialmix.com
Originally published by Saint Louis University's John Cook School of Business
Originally published by Saint Louis University's John Cook School of Business
My professional education did not come to a close following the pomp
and circumstance of our springtime graduation. Some people have
photographic memories; others can absorb knowledge from listening alone.
For me, learning has always been action-based.
As an MBA student,
courses like managerial accounting, marketing strategy, corporate
finance, private equity, and business ethics gave me an awareness of the
business topics I would encounter along my entrepreneurial path.
However, it was not until I put the knowledge I had acquired to practice
that I understood the depth and finer detail of each area of study.
Applying the practices I learned in the lecture halls and discussion
groups to my daily life in the business world has allowed me to begin to
fully comprehend and appreciate the depth and detail of each area of
study.
My company, Materialmix.com, is developing a disruptive technology
that commoditizes the trade of industrial byproducts within the current
waste collection industry to help waste and recycling professionals
reduce operating expenses, recover investment on inventory, and monetize
the trade of their recyclables with a web-based, customer-regulated
exchange platform.
After careful consideration, I went “all-in” about 3 months following
graduation. This meant moving the home office to downtown, saying
goodbye to any mirage of a social life, and welcoming a new chapter
filled with 5-am conference calls, 80-hour work weeks, and a very frugal
budget.
In starting a business; workdays are long, stressful, fast-paced, and
always seem to end too soon. There are no safety nets, guarantees, or
sure bets. However, it is extremely encouraging to know that a key group
of mentors and advisors I have met along my path will always be willing
to give advice, share their experience, or just lend a word of
encouragement. During my time as a graduate student, the Saint Louis
University’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Washington University’s
Skandalaris Center for Entrepreneurship allowed me the opportunity to
test and refine my business hypothesis. Post-graduation, mentorship from
incubators like Capital Innovators, Arch Grants, and Clean Tech Open
have helped me expand my professional network and learn from other
experienced business people in my field. In St. Louis, we are also
incredibly fortunate to have dedicated business mentorship groups like
Innovate Venture Mentoring Service (Innovate VMS) and the Information
Technology Entrepreneurship Network (ITEN) for early stage start-up
mentorship.
At the end of even the longest work-day, I still go to bed excited to
meet and overcome the challenges that are waiting for me in the
morning. My favorite part of being an entrepreneur is continuing to
learn and grow by constantly challenging my knowledge and limits. I feel
incredibly fortunate to work at a job I love, and for a cause I believe
in.
Material Mix Joins Capital Innovators Accelerator 2.12.2012
Alli Carmen, acarmen@materialmix.com
It has been a very busy and exciting first week of the Capital Innovators spring 12-week accelerator program. We are working hard on continuing
to develop our exchange platform, with an anticipated release date prior
to April 2012. So stay tuned!
Below
is a family photo of our fellow start up comrades; which include 5
other companies selected from over 250 applications from 4 countries and
19 states. Needless to say, we are extremely honored to be included in
this distinguished crop! It is going to be a great year!
 |
| Front: Brian Handrigan of Click With Me Now, Brian Slawin of BusyEvent, Judy Sindecuse and Hal Gentry of Capital Innovators, Allison Carmen and Nicholas Akerberg of Material Mix. Back: Mark Comiso of Click With Me Now, Don Breckenridge of Systematic Revenue, Mike Behr of Click With Me Now, and Mark Sawyier of Bonfyre |
Curious about the rest of the Capital Innovators crew? Check 'em out!
Bonfyre is
a location-based mobile application exclusively for college students
that helps them find what’s hot around campus, keep up with friends and
save money. Bonfyre was created by Off Campus Media, a company focused
on creating value for college students and highly relevant advertising
opportunities for local merchants and national brands.
BusyEvent is a profitable live event CRM company monetizing some of the 10 million annual face to face transactions at conferences, trade shows and business to business events. They track buyer behavior and present that data as actionable information that multiple stakeholders pay for.
BusyEvent is a profitable live event CRM company monetizing some of the 10 million annual face to face transactions at conferences, trade shows and business to business events. They track buyer behavior and present that data as actionable information that multiple stakeholders pay for.
Systematic Revenue provides growing businesses with an easy to use and affordable marketing automation software application to consistently follow up with all prospects and customers in a meaningful and relevant way.
Click With Me Now makes 1-click web-sharing for consumers possible; with no Cost, no Downloads & no Frustrations. Supporting businesses that connect with consumers online, they provide tools that let their customers instantly invite friends to co-browse with them. Their SaaS-based, platform-independent solution results in richer experiences, greater conversion, and increased sales.
RollSale is reducing the need for expensive middlemen in the used car supply chain by providing dealers with a simple, inexpensive, mobile-centric social network for buying and selling inventory.
What to Do With All That Plastic? 7.11.2011
Mike LaBozzetta
The folks over at Plastic2Oil
(P2O) have come up with an innovative process to reprocess
non-recyclable plastic into its molecular components and harvest the
hydrocarbons contained within. The process is simple; the plastic is shredded, ground, and then fed into a reactor.
The proprietary stuff all takes place in the reactor; where the plastic is broken down into hydrocarbon chains which are then siphoned off in a gaseous state.
The manufacturer of the P2O system, JBI claim that they can recapture 90% of the hydrocarbons locked within the plastic. The process itself breaks the plastic into just about every variety of combustible hydrocarbon. The P2O system pulls out gasoline, diesel, ethane, methane, butane, and propane.
The heavier fuels; gasoline and diesel, are siphoned off first and stored in tanks. The lighter gases; ethane, methane, butane, and propane, are all condensed to a liquid state for storage.
This
proprietary system can process 1,800 pounds of ground plastic in an
hour and has elements in place that can inject fuel additives directly
into the solution while the fuel is being processed. Any solid residue
left by the process (JBI claim that it is less than 2%) is automatically
removed before a new batch of plastic is processed. Even so, JBI
regularly tests the residue to confirm that it is acceptable for
landfill disposal.
Burning
hydrocarbons for energy is a topic of great debate. The interesting
thing about this system is it recaptures energy that would otherwise go
to waste, being locked up for thousands of years in a landfill.
For plastics that are recyclable, many existing alternatives for beneficial reuse exist. Here are just a few examples:
- PET (a.k.a. Plastic #1 or Polyethylene terephthalate) can be re-processed into soda bottles; textiles and fibers for furniture, pillows, comforters, jackets, sleeping bags, and carpeting; packaging; shower stalls; paint brush handles; packaging strapping; and plastic lumber.
- HDPE (a.k.a. Plastic #2 or High density polyethylene) can be used to create detergent bottles, film bags, traffic cones, plastic cases, drainage pipes, waste and storage containers, and plastic lumber.
- PVC (a.k.a. Plastic #3 or polyvinyl chloride) can be processed to make pipe, floor tiles, urinal screens, containers, and packaging film.
- LDME (a.k.a. Plastic #4 or Low density polyethylene) can be used to create trash bags, grocery bags, waste and storage containers, and polyethylene modified asphalt concrete.
- PP (a.k.a. Plastic #5 or Polypropylene) can be processed to make battery cases, boxes, flower pots, and brooms.
- PS (a.k.a. Plastic #6 or Polystyrene) can be used to make egg cartons, loose fill packaging, building insulation, trays, and office supplies.
- Anything we are missing? Comment below!
Tire Swings from the Future and other Creative (Re)Uses 7.7.2011
Mike LaBozzetta
The EPA estimates that there are between 250 million and 300 million
scrap tires in the United States. And while tires are often used as a
replacement for coal in heat and power generation, there are many, many
more uses for them. A few are listed below.
Rubber
is naturally a great insulator. Using tires as a flower or plant bed
keeps the roots warmer in winter and cooler in summer. The same goes for
a house if you chose to build it out of old tires.
Granulated rubber (ground tires) also serves as a great alternative to gravel or sand for filtration devices. The porous nature of the rubber simulates (and in some cases out-performs) the filtering abilities of mineral-based filters. Rubber tires are wonders of chemistry and science.
The very reason they are so harmful in landfills (namely, they do not biodegrade all that well) makes them perfect for construction projects and other long-lasting undertakings.
Granulated rubber (ground tires) also serves as a great alternative to gravel or sand for filtration devices. The porous nature of the rubber simulates (and in some cases out-performs) the filtering abilities of mineral-based filters. Rubber tires are wonders of chemistry and science.
The very reason they are so harmful in landfills (namely, they do not biodegrade all that well) makes them perfect for construction projects and other long-lasting undertakings.
By the way, if you’re looking for a departure from the typical tire swing, check out the team over at Wildlife Creations. They make all sorts of animal swings from old tires - my personal favorite is the T-Rex!
10 Personal Uses for Old Tires 10 Commercial Uses for Old Tires
Tire Swing Playground surface
Planter Boat Bumpers
Building Material Tire Logs for Construction
Shoes Soil Additives
Raised Garden Bed Carpet Underlay
Belts (from bike tires) World Cup Soccer Fields
Furniture Road Beds
Tetherball Set Back Fill
Blue Jeans, Newspaper, and Wool, Oh My! 7.5.2011
Mike LaBozzetta
According to Energy Star, 46% of Americans’ home energy usage goes towards heating and cooling
the house.
This means the average family spends over $1,000 every year just to keep their home nice and cozy. Enhancing the performance of insulation in your home is one way to significantly reduce these heating costs.
Insulation is rated using a scale called R-value, which measures the ability of a material to resist heat transfer. Generally, the R-value of a material depends on its type, thickness, and density. The higher the R-value, the better the material insulates.
This means the average family spends over $1,000 every year just to keep their home nice and cozy. Enhancing the performance of insulation in your home is one way to significantly reduce these heating costs.
Insulation is rated using a scale called R-value, which measures the ability of a material to resist heat transfer. Generally, the R-value of a material depends on its type, thickness, and density. The higher the R-value, the better the material insulates.
We’re
all familiar with the rolls of fiber-glass insulation that have been
around for years - they're easy to find and relatively inexpensive. But recently there have been some alternatives on the market that are made from recycled materials.
Bondedlogic is one company that is making this kind of re-purposed insulation from recycled blue jeans and recycled newspapers.
The company claims that their recycled insulation has an R-value between R13 and R60; which is on par with ( and often better than) most fiberglass insulations.
A second producer of insulation, Thermafleece, has developed a way to reuse old sweater textiles and sheep’s wool. Unfortunately for Americans, Thermafleece is based in England and is not yet available this side of the pond, but hopefully that will change soon!
There
are increasingly more recycled alternatives to fiberglass insulation
being developed every day. The next time you find yourself in need of
insulation do some research into what options are available and take
into account which options use recycled or reclaimed materials.
By the way, if you are starting a home project, the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has a neat R-value recommendation tool
that takes into account whether your home is new construction or a
remodeling project, the type of climate control it uses, and the
location. - which can come in handy if you have a LEED certified project
underway.
Do
you know of anyone who has chosen insulation made from reused material
for their home project? Tell us about it below!
Material Mix supports local sourcing and businesses dedicated to innovative reuse and improving efficiency, and we love to give props to thoughtful and educated consumers. Let’s spread the good word!
Material Mix supports local sourcing and businesses dedicated to innovative reuse and improving efficiency, and we love to give props to thoughtful and educated consumers. Let’s spread the good word!
The Waste Management Industry is Outdated, and Here's Why 6.28.2011
Alli Carmen, acarmen@materialmix.com
A snapshot of landfills in the US:
Waste haulers - everyone needs 'em, but why are they so dang expensive? Here is a bit of info to shed some light.
There are 1,501 solid waste landfills in the US, grossing $5.65 billion annually.
An increase in regulation on landfills has driven landfill operational costs up, placing a premium on the limited landfill capacity. In 2009, average tipping fees in the US increased six percent to the current $43 per ton.
There are 1,501 solid waste landfills in the US, grossing $5.65 billion annually.
An increase in regulation on landfills has driven landfill operational costs up, placing a premium on the limited landfill capacity. In 2009, average tipping fees in the US increased six percent to the current $43 per ton.
Why is waste hauling so expensive?
The
current refuse removal industry operates inefficiently because each
type of waste requires specialized handling, knowledge, and technology. As a result, traditional waste management companies charge extensive fees due to heavy human resources and R&D expenditure.
Recent economic downturn has forced waste management firms to consolidate nationwide, leaving customers with fewer options and rising costs. With fewer competitors and increased compliance demand, the remaining waste management firms are beginning to pass their overhead on to their industrial clients.
Recent economic downturn has forced waste management firms to consolidate nationwide, leaving customers with fewer options and rising costs. With fewer competitors and increased compliance demand, the remaining waste management firms are beginning to pass their overhead on to their industrial clients.
How are municipalities coping?
Most local governments are millions of dollars over budget.
To continue to provide trash service, some cities require their largest
waste contributors (local businesses and industries) to mitigate or
divert their waste streams.
Landfills that are overcapacity or underfunded usually increase capacity, enforce recycling policy, sell the waste, or pays to ship it out of state where there is more room.
Landfills that are overcapacity or underfunded usually increase capacity, enforce recycling policy, sell the waste, or pays to ship it out of state where there is more room.
Some
landfills sell their waste to waste conversion facilities, which then
separate out the reusable material for salvage and process the remaining
waste to create energy.
For some local governments, the cost to build and maintain a landfill is too expensive. Instead, these municipalities cut costs by transporting the waste as far as 800 miles to an interstate landfill.
What to do with all that trash?
The Recyclable Material Wholesaling
industry includes 6,806 businesses generating $57.4 billion in revenue.
Industry growth is expected to jump from 2.4% to 8.6% per year by 2015.
The industry’s most recent peak was in mid-2008 when it was valued at
$86 billion, processed 150 million metric tons of scrap materials, and
shipped $28.6 billion of material to 153 countries.
There
is an enormous demand for these reusable materials both domestically as
well as abroad. What if you could find those buyers quickly and easily?
That is what Material Mix is all about.
How to Calculate Waste-Related Emissions and Energy Savings 6.27.2011
Alli Carmen, acarmen@materialmix.com
Many businesses currently engage in recycling of some kind.
There are a number of reasons to do so; consumers are more likely to choose environmentally responsible products, it’s less expensive, it has positive environmental implications, and it saves virgin resources and the energy it would take to extract and process them.
There are a number of reasons to do so; consumers are more likely to choose environmentally responsible products, it’s less expensive, it has positive environmental implications, and it saves virgin resources and the energy it would take to extract and process them.
It’s
easy enough to justify recycling as “good” for the environment – but
how do you quantify the “goodness” of your efforts in terms of energy
savings? Turns out, the EPA has an app for that.
Well,
to be fair, it’s not an app you can download onto your iphone, but you
can certainly download a copy of the excel-based converter to your
desktop, or simply link to the page.
The WAste Reduction Model (or WARM) was developed by the US EPA and calculates greenhouse gas emissions for both baseline and alternative waste management practices. Now, there are no more sleepless nights wondering how many trees you saved or emissions credits you could gain by sourcing reusable materials, recycling a few extra tons, or composting on site.
The WAste Reduction Model (or WARM) was developed by the US EPA and calculates greenhouse gas emissions for both baseline and alternative waste management practices. Now, there are no more sleepless nights wondering how many trees you saved or emissions credits you could gain by sourcing reusable materials, recycling a few extra tons, or composting on site.
You
can use the online WARM converter tool to analyze about 40 commonly
recycled materials, and even play around with different scenarios to
optimize your performance.
This
tool is a great way to impress your co-workers and fellow green team
members, and can ultimately help your business quantify its
environmental impact and set corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals
to improve efficiencies based on your businesses unique circumstances.
For
more information on waste diversion, energy savings, or best practices
for sustainable waste management, contact us at info@materialmix.com
Beer Cans Reused to Craft Surfboards in San Diego 6.23.2011
Mike LaBozzetta
Seagraves Surfboards
(based in La Jolla, CA) has made waves recently (sorry for the really,
really bad pun) by constructing a functional surfboard out of 72
recycled beer cans.
They’ve even posted a video of part of the process of the surfboard construction. And this guy built an island out of plastic bottles…twice - his first one was destroyed in a hurricane.
These two stories of reuse call attention to the fact that we throw away a lot of packaging. According to the EPA, only 48% of beverage cans were recycled in 2008.
That leaves 720,000 tons of cans to sit in landfills.
And that’s for aluminum, which is one of the few materials that is 100% recyclable with no loss in quality.
The story is even worse for plastic bottles. According to the same EPA report, less than 28% of plastic bottles were recycled, leaving nearly 2 million tons in the landfills.
They’ve even posted a video of part of the process of the surfboard construction. And this guy built an island out of plastic bottles…twice - his first one was destroyed in a hurricane.
These two stories of reuse call attention to the fact that we throw away a lot of packaging. According to the EPA, only 48% of beverage cans were recycled in 2008.
That leaves 720,000 tons of cans to sit in landfills.
And that’s for aluminum, which is one of the few materials that is 100% recyclable with no loss in quality.
The story is even worse for plastic bottles. According to the same EPA report, less than 28% of plastic bottles were recycled, leaving nearly 2 million tons in the landfills.
So what to do with all those leftovers?
Well, this company makes t-shirts out of plastic bottles. It takes five 2-liter bottles to make one shirt. And in 2010, Nike made headlines
by creating the team jerseys for the World Cup out of recycled plastic
bottles.
All told, this kept nearly 280 tons of plastic bottles out of landfills. A quick internet search reveals many other companies creating similar clothing from recycled plastic bottles.
All told, this kept nearly 280 tons of plastic bottles out of landfills. A quick internet search reveals many other companies creating similar clothing from recycled plastic bottles.
And
what about aluminum cans? Well aside from creating those little model
airplanes that you see at craft fairs, there are nearly unlimited uses
for recycled cans. Go nuts! As I mentioned earlier, aluminum can be
recycled indefinitely with no loss of quality. And there are plenty of
people willing to recycle your used cans.
In fact, with aluminum can prices hovering at around 50 cents per pound, Americans made $1 billion recycling their old aluminum cans last year.
In fact, with aluminum can prices hovering at around 50 cents per pound, Americans made $1 billion recycling their old aluminum cans last year.
If you’re interested in buying more products made from recycled materials, the EPA offers this handy buyer’s guide to help you sort out the world of recycled materials.
For more information on beneficial reuse, contact us at info@materialmix.com, we love to hear from you!
Sustainable Sewage: Synthetic Meat out of Human Feces 6.22.2011
Simon Tucker
“This
burger tastes like crap!” What if it were the other way around? Researchers at Okayama Laboratory have developed a way to synthesize artificial meat via the proteins in human excrement.
After extracting the proteins in the raw sewage, the researchers combine them with a reaction enhancer and exploder, and complete the process by adding soy protein, artificial flavoring, and coloring to mimic natural beef. The finished product is comprised of 63% proteins, 25% carbohydrates, 3% lipids, and 9% minerals.
(Wondering what your doo-doo is made of? Check out some facts about poop.)
This
new technology could potentially have significant industrial and
environmental sustainability implications. In addition to reducing human
waste buildup, a fast growing concern for a very fast growing
population in Japan, success of the “poop burger” (re-naming for
marketing is definitely in order) could lead to a reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Inhabitat, “the meatpacking industry causes 18 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions, mostly due to the release of methane from animals.”
Whether or not humans will be keen on eating the artificial meat, the product could become an alternative food source for carnivorous animals.
According to Inhabitat, “the meatpacking industry causes 18 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions, mostly due to the release of methane from animals.”
Whether or not humans will be keen on eating the artificial meat, the product could become an alternative food source for carnivorous animals.
The “poop burger” still has a ways to go before it starts disrupting the meat-packing industry. Though initial
test subjects have reported the synthetic meat tastes like real beef,
there’s no doubt consumers might be hesitant to consume said “meat.”
Additionally, the synthetic meat is currently extremely expensive given the significant capital expenditure which went into its development. Don’t expect poo patties filling your grocery store aisles any time soon, but definitely keep an ear out (or nose) for them.
Additionally, the synthetic meat is currently extremely expensive given the significant capital expenditure which went into its development. Don’t expect poo patties filling your grocery store aisles any time soon, but definitely keep an ear out (or nose) for them.
Barnes-Jewish Reduce Supplier Costs by Diverting Waste 6.6.2011
Alli Carmen, acarmen@materialmix.com
Earlier this year, the Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and Progressive West Healthcare Center were honored with the Ascent Healthy Hospital Award for successfully implementing sustainability initiatives that diverted a combined 4,853 pounds of medical waste from landfills, and saved over $82,470 in supplier costs.
These two hospitals have endeavored to reduce their environmental footprint over the past few years, and have identified waste reduction as a key component of demonstrating their commitment to the environment and quality health care.
By re-manufacturing and reprocessing single-use medical devices, these hospitals are realizing savings in both supply costs as well as disposal costs.
Forming
strategic supply chain partnerships within the community can be a
powerful way to implement sustainability initiatives and reduce
operating costs.What other types of materials could hospitals be diverting? Textiles from old uniforms? Organic food waste from hospital kitchens? Recycling of outdated electronics, medical equipment, or office waste?
For more information on reprocessing medical waste, visit Ascent, a division of Stryker Corp., or Barnes-Jewish Healthcare homepage.
Material Mix Tours Washington University's Preston M. Green Hall Project Site 5.11.2011
Alli Carmen, acarmen@materialmix.com
Last
week the Material Mix team was invited to take a tour of Clayco’s
progress on the latest LEED Gold-registered addition to the Washington
University Engineering School campus.
Clayco is a full-service real estate development, design and construction firm specializing in the art and science of building. Pictured at left are Allison Carmen (Material Mix Founder and CEO) and Michael LaBozzetta.
Clayco is a full-service real estate development, design and construction firm specializing in the art and science of building. Pictured at left are Allison Carmen (Material Mix Founder and CEO) and Michael LaBozzetta.
To qualify, designers and contractors must choose among a host of sustainable building alternatives, each worth a certain number of points.
Categories include Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation & Design Process.
--------------------------
For many projects, contractors choose to source local sustainable building materials and divert a certain percentage of the on-site construction waste as a means to achieve LEED points.
Material Mix helps these contractors streamline their bidding process for on-site waste removal, and allows them to earn a profit off their valuable construction by-products.
Materials
such as metal scrap, wood, cement, fill dirt, drywall and packaging are
in high demand – yet builders are forced to spent as much as $75 per
ton to remove materials off site and out of the way.
Safety and order are a high priority, and contractors may not have space to source separate (separate materials on site) or time to find a potential buyer for the reusable goods.
Over a 12 month period, it is not uncommon for a construction site to generate as much as 1,200 tons of waste.
Safety and order are a high priority, and contractors may not have space to source separate (separate materials on site) or time to find a potential buyer for the reusable goods.
Over a 12 month period, it is not uncommon for a construction site to generate as much as 1,200 tons of waste.
There
is a large under-served commodities market for these materials. Wood
shavings and debris can be processed to create particle board, wood
pellets, or mulch. Concrete waste can easily be re-purposed to use as
foundation for another site or gravel for roadways.
Gypsum from drywall is in high demand, and can be used for composting or agricultural applications. And don’t forget local and international recyclers who are hungry for scrap metal and packaging material!
Gypsum from drywall is in high demand, and can be used for composting or agricultural applications. And don’t forget local and international recyclers who are hungry for scrap metal and packaging material!
Material
Mix can help contractors find local buyers for on-site materials for a
single construction site or ongoing period, which helps to keep the
construction site clear of extra debris and saves thousands of dollars
each week on waste disposal.
Other
Clayco buildings on campus feature innovative sustainable features such
as locally-sourced wood interior paneling, wind and solar power,
recycled blue jean insulation, and cutting edge water and energy
monitoring systems.
Material Mix also provides access to local technology professionals specializing in all the latest green building features and applications.
Material Mix also provides access to local technology professionals specializing in all the latest green building features and applications.
Material
Mix is a one stop shop for reusable materials and related services.
Waste diversion is our business, and we specialize in helping our clients find innovative solutions that save them money on waste disposal. Hey, you might even make a buck or two.
Let us help you turn your trash into cash!
Waste diversion is our business, and we specialize in helping our clients find innovative solutions that save them money on waste disposal. Hey, you might even make a buck or two.
Let us help you turn your trash into cash!
To learn more about LEED, visit the U.S. Green Building CouncilClayco online. or
Hello Blogshpere and Beyond!
Material
Mix is an innovative solution to traditional waste management. We are a
passionate group of business people, creatives, and dreamers.
Disclaimer: We are not part of the green revolution, or the blue revolution, or the [latest cliche] revolution. Sustainability is Smart.
We get it....and
we want to help you find solutions to improve the efficiency of your
business. This means saving you money and making the world a cleaner
place. What's not to like about that?
Stay tuned.
