Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Most of us are familiar with the waste hierarchy of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Reduce waste first, reuse materials when possible and recycle as the last resort before landfilling. Occasionally, one business’ waste will become another’s resource when such an exchange is convenient and cost effective for both parties. These informal exchanges work well, but more often than not opportunities are missed because the “haves” and “have-nots” aren’t aware of one another. We are fortunate in Nebraska that there are two resources at our “disposal” for locating materials that can be repurposed.
One such resource is Keep Nebraska Beautiful’s Materials Exchange Program. Since its inception in 1994, the number of materials listed and exchanged has grown enormously. Program Manager, Peter Stadig says that one of their best kept “secrets” is the flow of materials from businesses to nonprofit organizations. More than 330 nonprofits are contacted each time a business organization lists office furniture, equipment or supplies. There is a growing demand among nonprofits for these items, most of which are spoken for within hours of being offered. Listings and inquiries can be made online at http://www.knb.org/exchange.
Another great resource is Repurposed Materials (RPM), a unique business that sells products, containers and materials that are waste or byproducts of manufacturing and commerce to be re-purposed “as is”. When recycled, most products must be processed, refined, modified, chipped or purified. RPM specializes in materials that don’t require the additional consumption or use of energy or materials to make them market-ready. Located in Denver, Colorado, owner Damon Carson travels far and wide across the U.S. to reclaim the products he offers on his web site, http://repurposedmaterialsinc.