Go Green!
The Technological Insights on Plas c Recycling in a Circular Economy
All You Need to Know!
Plas c Waste Management
Managing Editor
Bhushan Bhad
A Revolution Against the Silent Crisis
Theworldhasbeengoingthroughamajorbutsilent
crisisthatiswitnessedandyetignoredbyeveryone incontemporarytimes;“agarbagecrisis.”We,as humans,haveforgottenthegiftofnaturethattheearthhas provideduswithandcanbeutilizedwithoutblinkingan eyeorthinkingabouttheunpreventableconsequences.
Thiscanrelatetoaglobalsurveythatsays,“Theworldwas estimatedtogenerate2.24billiontonnesofsolidwastein 2020.”
Suchnumbersraiseaquestionofconcernthatallofusneed toemphasize;aquestionthathasbeenunansweredforages; aquestionthatisverysimpleyethasbeensilentalongthe way
Whatarehumansdoingtopreventthis?
Theonlysuitableanswertothiscrisisisatermthathas beenforgotteninthecrumbledpagesofhighschool textbooks:“Recycling”.Thelessonthateveryonelearnsyet carriesonwiththeexploitationwithoutmakinguseofthe solesolutionprovided.
, ,
Steering the wheel of sustainable development is plastic recycling companies and its technological innovative leadership is the future.
Butifnotgivenattention,thenumberswillkeepon increasingandthesolutionwillremaindeeplyburied.To dealwithspecificsituationswhileadheringtotheiteration, “Morerecycling,lessgarbage,”arebusinessesthatexpress theirconcernandseektomakeanimpactontheworld.
Thesebusinessesprovideaone-stopsolutionforcollecting wasteandusebiotechnologytoseparateusefulitemsand bringuptherecycledversionofthem.Recyclinggetsdown toonepersonperforminganactionandestablishesthefact thatitallcomesbacktoyouinreturn.Itbenefitsthe environment,thecommunity,andtheeconomytoo! Inournewedition,“Top5PlasticRecyclingCompanies ToWatch,”wecameacrosssuchcompaniesthatcarefor theirsurroundings.
Withtheenthusiasmthatwouldcomeafterreadingabout thesecompanies,makesuretoreadthearticlesandindustry insightspenneddownbyourin-houseeditorialteam.
Haveanenlighteningread!
- Harshal Wahane
C O N T E N T S
Editor-in-Chief Merry D’souza
Senior Editor
Managing Editor
Art & Design Head
Anish Miller
Bhushan Bhad
Art & Design Assistant Visualiser David King
Paul
Co-designer Sonia Raizada Mrunalinee Deshmukh
Business Development Manager
Sherin Rodricks
Marketing Manager Joseph D'souza
Business Development Executives
Kelly, David
Technical Head Jacob Smile
Assistant Technical Head
Technical Consultants Prachi, Rajeshwari
Digital Marketing Manager Alina Sege
Assistant Digital Marketing Manager Renuka Kulkarni
SME-SMO Executive Gemson
Research Analyst Eric Smith
Circulation Manager Tanaji Fartade
sales@insightssuccess.com
September, 2022
Brief Company
IceRiverSustainable Solutions iceriversustainable solutions.com Ecoware ecoware.co.nz
PreciousPlasticShanghai preciousplastic shanghai.com
TeknTrashInc tekntrash.com
Featuring
AlexMagaraggia (Co-founder)
JamesCalver (Co-founder)
JamieGott (CEO)
SandyGott (ExecutiveVice President)
AdeleFoucart Co-founder
AlCosta FounderandCEO
Ecowareprovidessustainableplant-basedfoodandbeverage packagingsolutionsthatareaffordableandsuperiorinquality.
Foundedin1995,IceRiverSustainableSolutionsisaCanadian, family-ownedandoperatedcompanywithauniqueperspectiveon thecirculareconomy.
PreciousPlasticShanghai'smissionistopreservethe environmentbycreatingawarenessaboutplasticwaste.
TeknTrashisanAIandanalyticscompanywhichobtainsdata fromtrash.
WEIMA weima.com/en/
Mr.MadisonBurt CEO
WEIMAAmericaInc.istheNorthAmericansubsidiaryof WEIMAMaschinenbauGmbHoutofIlsfeld,Germany.Itisa sizereductionmachinerymanufacturerspecializingin equippingitscustomerswithtoolstohelptheiroperationsbe sustainableandprofitable.
TTheaveragerisingtemperaturesoftheearthwere firsttheorizedintheearly90s.Sincethen,scientists andresearchershavegatheredenoughevidenceto provethistheoryrightandhavealsodrawntheconnection ofhumanactivitiestothisglobaltemperaturerise.TheUN, alongwiththemajorityofthecountriesallovertheworld hasconductedseveralenvironmentalconferencessince 1972tocomeupwithstrategiesandmakepledgestoreduce theimpactofindustrialactivitiesontheenvironment.
Organizationsinvariouseconomicsectorsoftheworld haverecognizedthisclimateemergencyandaremaking deliberateandsincereeffortstoreducetheircarbon footprintandachieve'net-zerobythe2050'roadmap.
Foundedin1995,IceRiverSustainableSolutionsisa Canadian,family-ownedandoperatedcompanywitha uniqueperspectiveonthecirculareconomy. Being involvedineachstepofthevaluechainfromrecyclingto brandownershipallowsthemtounderstandtheimpactthat oneprocesshasonthenextanddrivesthemtoproduce environmentallyfriendlyproductsandpackaging.
Natureistheultimatecirculareconomy.Everythinghasa purpose,andnothinggoestowaste.Thiswastheinspiration forJamieGott,CEO,andSandyGott,ExecutiveVice Presidenttodevelopabottlemadeoutof100%recycled PET(rPET)backin2010andcontinuestodrivetheir businessdevelopment.
Facingallthechallengeswiththeutmostdeterminationthat camealongthewayoftheireco-friendlyventure,the executivesofIceRiverSustainableSolutionshaveproved theirgreenintentioneverystepoftheway.Fromfacilitating meaningfulpartnershipswithcompanieswhosevalues alignedwiththeirs,tobuildingandoperatingtheirown recyclingfacilityinaclosed-loop,thecompanystandsasa prominentexampletodayforthosewhowishtowalkonthe samesustainablepath.
PrideofIceRiverSustainableSolutions
Itisastonishingtoknowthattheyarethefirstbeverage companyinNorthAmericatooperatearecyclingfacilityin aclosedloop–fromcurbsidecollectiontorecycledbottle manufacturingtofresh,naturalspringwaterproductsand backagain.Beingarecycler,abrandowner,a manufacturer,andaconsumerofrecycledcontent,the organizationiscommittedtorecycling.
Theydesignandproduceinnovativesustainableproducts andpackagingthatcanberecycledrepeatedly.Itis importanttobuildathrivingcirculareconomywhereeach pieceofplasticremainspartofthevaluechainandoutof theenvironment.
Ontopofthat,theyhaverecycledover500millionpounds ofpost-consumercurbsidecollectedmaterial.Theyrecycle beveragecontainers,foodcontainers,thermoforms,and otherPETpackagingwhilealsofindingusesforother materialstheyreceiveinthebales.
ThegreenPETisnowusedintheirbrandIceRiverGreen BottleCo.Thepolyolefinflake(capmaterial)iscollected duringthePETrecyclingprocessandsenttotheirsister companyC.R.PlasticProductstobemadeintohighquality,recycledoutdoorfurniture.Alwaysrecyclewiththe caponsothatcapscanbeharvested!
In2018theIceRiverteamstartedBMPExtrusioninorder toaddrecycledcontenttotheirLDPEcollatedshrinkfilm. Theyareat20%PIR(post-industrialrecycled)contentwith agoalof30%bytheendofthisyearandcurrentlyrunning trialstoincorporatePCR(post-consumerrecycled)content.
IceRiverSustainableSolutions'InnovativeProducts andServices
Withadiverseportfolioofcompaniescommittedto sustainability,theirproductsaddvalueandcontinueto developthegrowingcirculareconomyinCanadawhile achievingreductionsinwaste,carbon,andenergyuse.
About the Leaders
IceRiverGreenBottleCoandMajorCanadian RetailersPrivateLabelBrands:
Theyproduce100%recycledwaterbottlesfortheirbrand andlargeretailersacrossCanada.
Accordingtoathird-partylife-cycleassessment,using 100%recycledPETinsteadofvirginPETbottlesresultsin a76%reductioninenergy,78%reductioninemissions,and 99%reductioninwaterconsumption.
Alongwiththeseextraordinarynumberstheyhaveprovided aconsistentendmarketforcollectedmaterialsinOntario andtheydon'tjusttakebottles.Theyhavealsodeveloped anendmarketforgreenPETandthermoformsinorderto maximizetherecoveryofplasticpackagingandsimplify sortationatmaterialrecoveryfacilities(MRFs).
Ÿ BlueMountainPlasticsRecycling:
BlueMountainPlasticsRecycling(BMPR)isasister companytoIceRiverthatproducesPETflakesfrom curbsidematerials.Theyrecycleapproximately65million poundsperyearwithupto40%thermoformcontent.
Inordertoexpandtheirproductionandsupportother brandswhowanttoincorporaterecycledPET,they purchasedUrbanPolymersincreasingproductionby approximately50%.
Ÿ BlueMountainPlasticsExtrusion:
BlueMountainPlasticsExtrusion(BMPE)isastate-of-theartfilmextrusionandprintingfacilitydevelopingeco-
friendlypackaging. Thisthingauge,high-strength engineeredfilmreducestheplasticrequiredtopackage heavyproductsandeliminatestheneedforcardboardtrays orpads.Becausetheyownandoperatetheirownfacility, theycantestanddevelopnewprocessesandtechnologies tohelpthemsupportclosed-looprecyclingintheLDPE (low-densitypolyethylene)filmindustry.
Theyareabletomaintain20%post-industrialrecycled content(PIR)consistentlywhileworkingtowardspostconsumerrecycledcontent(PCR).Astableend-market keepstheflexiblefilminthevaluechainandoutofthe environment.
Ÿ BlueMountainPlasticsPackaging:
ThenewestadditiontotheIceRiverSustainableSolutions familyofcompanies,BMPPackagingmanufacturersupto 100%recycledcontentsheetforclamshellsandtrays (thermoforming).
ThegoalofBlueMountainPlasticsPackagingisto transformsomeofthemoredifficulttorecyclePET,finding ahomeforpackagingthatcurrentlygoestolandfillsor wastetoenergyfacilities.
Ÿ C.R.PlasticProductsInc.:
C.R.PlasticProductsInc.utilizespolyolefinflake(cap materialfromcurbsidecollection)fromBMPRto manufacturehigh-qualityrecycledoutdoorfurniture.
Thecompanyrecentlyinstalledacleaningandpelletizing linesotheycanmanufacturetheirownrHDPEresinfrom curbsideorindustrialsources.
OvercomingAdversities
Whiletransitioningtorecycledcontentin2009,IceRiver SustainableSolutionsfoundinconsistenciesinthequality ofrPETtheycouldsourceontheopenmarket. Bystarting BMPRtheywereabletomanagethequalitythemselves andproducehighqualityrPETthatmetthestandards requiredtomanufacturealightweightwaterbottle.
Inordertofast-trackthetransitiontorecycledcontent,they hadtogettheircustomersonboard.Ittookonemajor retailertosupportthenewrecycledbottleandnowmost largeretailersacrossCanadaselltheirPrivateLabelbrand in100%recycledPET
Today,thecurrentchallengeinfrontofthecompanyis managingthemultitudeofgovernmentregulationsbeing placedonrecyclingprogramsandplasticsbyFederal, ProvincialandMunicipalgovernments. “We find that regulation between different levels of government is not harmonized and creates an added burden for small to medium size businesses trying to navigate the requirements.” says Crystal Howe, Director, Sustainability.
AdvisingtheBuddingEntrepreneurs
Referringtotheaforementionedobstacleandtheresulting learningreceived,CrystalHoweexpressesontheecological checksandbalancesandsays, “Government at all levels understand the need for a circular economy in plastics. We need to support existing and developing recycling infrastructure.”
ImpartingtheKeystoExcellence
TheentrepreneursbehindIRSS,JamieandSandyGotthave offeredsomevaluablesustainabilityadvice;“Behonest,be ableto100%backupyourclaims,anddon'ttakepartin greenwashing.” Consumersarebombardeddailywith environmentalclaimsandarebecomingmoreandmore educated.
“Knowyoursupplychain;supportlocalsourcing,ethical practices,andcollaborationthatmovesyourentireindustry forward,”saysJamieGott.
“Webelievewecanmakeadifference.Andwebelievewe caninspireotherstodothesame.”
OpinionsthatMatter
Theevolutionoftechnologyinrecyclinghelpedthemto improvesortation,energyefficiency,waterefficiency,and recoveryrates,amongotherthings.Theyfeelthattheearly adoptionofmoderntechnologyhelpssupportsacircular economyandimprovementsinwastemanagement.
TowardsaMoreSustainableandGreenerFuture
Withallthechangestheyhaveexperiencedoverthelast27 years,theteamgenuinelylooksforwardtowhatthefuture willbringandwhatthenextprojectwillbe.Many businessesshyawayfromsustainablepracticesduetothe perceivedincreaseincost;IRSSencourageseveryoneto reevaluatethosecostswithenvironmentalimpactinmind.
WhenJamieandSandysetouttodevelopthe100% recycledcontentbottle,theyweretolditwouldnotbe possible.So,tomotivatefutureentrepreneurs,Jamiesays, “Whensomeonetellsyouitcan'tbedone,don'tgiveup.”
2011 – Walmart Sustainability / Vendor Sustainability
2014 – Dupont Innova on in Packaging / Responsible Packaging Category
2015 – Loblaw Corporate Sustainability Award / Corporate Social Responsibility Supplier of the Year
2017 – Grocery Headquarters Trailblazer Award / Innova on in the Private Label Category
2017 – Store Brands Magazine Editor's Pick / Bronze Award in The Best New Ready-to-Drink Beverage Product Category
2017 – Zenith Global Bo led Water Award / Best Packaging Solu on
2021 – UGI Award – Best Private Label Supplier
Thereisaruleofnature,‘What comesfromtheearthgoes backtotheearth.’Mother earth—encompassingeverylivingand non-livingthing—functionsonthis principle.Shecreateslifeand consumesittoo.Butonethingthatthe earthcan’tconsumeisplastic–the humaninventionthatischangingthe biologicalbalanceoftheearth.
Fromaplasticcuptofoodpackaging, everythingisplastic,andunfortunately, mostofitisnon-degradable.Hence,it isessentialtoreducetheplasticusage forasustainablefuture.
Thisnecessityledtotheriseof eco-friendlyproductcompanieswhich
offeralternativesfortheplastic products.Oneoftheleadingnamesin thatlistisEcoware,whichprovides sustainableplant-basedfoodand beveragepackagingsolutionsthatare affordableandsuperiorinquality
TheSuccessStory
Adecadeago,AlexMagaraggiaand JamesCalvertwoyoung entrepreneurscommencedonajourney byfoundingEcoware–adynamicand innovativepackagingbrandthatis purposelead.
“Weareonamissiontochangethe waytheworldviewspackagingby removingvirginplasticsfromsupply
AlexandJames,withasmallteam aroundthem,spentyearsknockingon doorsexplainingtoprospectsthatthis wasindeedthefutureoftheindustry. Top 5 Plas c Recycling Companies
chainsandreducingwastetolandfill. Wehavedonethisbyusingtheworld’s mostinnovativeplant-basedraw materials,todesignanddevelop elegant,lowemissionpackagingthatis designedtobecomposted post-consumeruse.”
Beingfirsttomarket,some11-12years backwithadvancedrawmaterial technologythatchallengedthe well-establishedplasticindustrywas bynomeansasmalltaskforthe co-founders.
Theywerelaughedoutofboardrooms, toldto‘getreal’andmoreimportantly said‘NO’,forthefirstfiveorsoyears.
Itwasachallengingtaskforthe co-founders.TheyviewedNoasYES, sotheykeptturningupandrefining theirproductandbrand.Ittook approximatelyfiveyearsforthetideto turn,andthen,itwasonlyforward. Ecowarewentfromonlycertified compostablehotcupsandlids,to havingacomprehensiverangeusinga handfulofdifferentcertifiedraw materials.
Ecowarenowhasover500SKU’sand providesanenvironmentalsolutionfor anytakeaway(foodandbeverage) environment.Itsrangeenablesthe clientstomaketheircustomersproud. “It’snotjustthepackagingthatthe clientschange,it’stheirfullbrand
JamesCalver Co-founder Ecoware
AlexMagaraggia Co-founder Ecoware
storyandtheirmarketing strategy–afterall,sustainabilityis nowingrainedineverycorporate decisionmovingforward,”the co-foundersexpressed.
Thepastcoupleofyearshaveseen exponentialgrowthandashiftof attentiontowardsaglobal market–Ecowarebelievesthatits brandandproductofferingshouldand willberecognizedasatrueglobal leaderintheyearstocome.The company’sproductsarecurrently availablein12+countries.Ithassome excitingprojectsthatwillbedeployed in2022totargetglobalgrowth.
GoingGreenthroughTechnology
AlexandJameswerekeenonusingthe technologytoembracethewayin whichthebusinesscanbeapproached.
Havingamutualunderstanding,they thoughtinsteadofthinking,letshire anotherpersontoimplement technologyandsystems.Every companyintoday’sclimateshouldbe ataminimuminvestingof$1in technology,forevery$1theyinvestin people.“It’swhatwebelieveis requiredtoremaincompetitive,and moreimportantlybecomemore efficientatalowercost,”saidJames.
Greenindustryisyettobecompletely disruptedbyAI,butitcanplaya crucialroleinnearfuture.Theduois oftheopinionthatiftheycanteach theirstafftothinkthisway,theycan haveaverypowerfulofferingmoving intothenextdecadeasreal opportunitiesstarttopresent themselvesasthemarketmatures.
FacingthePandemic
Thereisafamousquoteinbusiness world,“expecttheunexpected.”That said,theunexpectedcontinuesto developandthechallengesonewould neverdreamaboutcontinuetopress companiesglobally.Keepingthisin mind,problemscanalsobeviewedas opportunities–andthatisthewaythe duoviewproblemsatEcoware.
Whatistheopportunityofsolvingthis problem?Thereisnoonedenyingthe factthatglobalsupplychainisunder seriousandrealcostanddelivery pressure.Ecowarewasnoexceptionto this.Throughoutthepast18months, thecompanyhasbeenhitwithglobal seafreightsincreasingover500%, alongwithdelayandmissed connections.
Jamessaid,“Itisessentialasaleader duringtimeslikethis,youputyourself inyourcustomersshoes–whenyou do,yourealizethatcustomersareyour numberonepriority Wehavedone everythingwecan,sacrificingprofitsto putpeoplefirst.”Hebelievesthatwhen thepandemicwillcometoanend, Ecowarewillbesomewhatmorefuture proofed.
EnvisagingaGreenFuture
WhileEcowareservicesover4000+ domesticcustomersandhavereplaced approximately1.4billionunitswith lowemission,sustainablesolutionsin NZ,intheupcomingyears,the companyislookingattheglobefor expansion.“Wewillcontinuetogrow ourglobalterritoriesthatwecurrently operatebothorganicallyastheworld
cravessustainablesolutions,andalso withsomeinvestmentintothose countriesthatarealreadytakingoff,” explainedJames.
Havingdoneextensivemarketresearch withthethirdpartygovtassistance, teamEcowareisfocusedontheNorth AmericanandtheEuropeanmarketsas keygrowthareas.Intheworldthatis movingandchangingrapidly, innovationisthecatalysttogrowth.
Ecoware’sgrowthstrategywillbe continuousdevelopmentand deploymentofuniqueandspecialized compostablefoodpackagingbeing broughttomarket.“Thereisnosuch thingasfinished,orstandingstill,one mustkeepmovingandmovingbecause thebestisyettocome!”saysthe leadershipteam.
The Technological Insights on Plastic Recycling in a Circular Economy
Imaginevisitingabeachandnoticingtheplasticall
aroundyou.Doesn’tthatmakeyouthinkitisn’tthe samecaseateverybeach?Notjustonebeach,butall beachesaroundtheworld,couldhavethismuchplastic waste.Plasticthatstaysstagnantanddoesn’tgetused properly.
Is it worth a major concern we tend to ignore amidst our fast-paced lives?
Therateofglobalplastichasbeenincreasingatafastrate. Plasticwasteisaglobalproblem.However,thewasteis generatedlocally,sodealingwiththeproblemwillrequire granular,local-levelsolutions.Themajorityoftheplasticin wasteisintheformofacomplexplasticcompoundthat doesnotdissolveinwaterbutremainsafloat.Effective technologicaladvanceshavebeenmadetoconvertitinto reusableplastic.
Effectiverecyclingofplasticwasteencouragesthe transitionoftheindustrytoacirculareconomy.Italso contributestoloweringGreenHouseEmissions(GHG) resourceswithinthecirculareconomysystem.
Inaclose-knitassociationcirculareconomy,manychanges wouldbebroughtintothepicture.Acirculareconomyisan inspiringapproachtoaneweconomy.Itisauniquewayof consuming,using,andproducingproducts.Itaimstocreate asystemwithoutwastingresourcesflowingcontinuously betweenproducersandusers.Furthermore,ithasalow environmentalimpactandhigheconomicactivity.
Let’s dig into the technological advances in recycling plastic.
RobotSorting
Sortingtheplasticintocategoriesrequiresworkthatcould beconsideredmuddy,repetitive,aswellashazardous. Workersarelookingforrecyclablestosortpilesofwaste productslikeneedles,diapers,andmuchmore.These peopledogetpaid,butit’slow-deservedpay
Somecompanies,likeAMP,basedintheUSA’sColorado, haveinventedrobotsforthejobinsteadofworkers.The spider-shapedrobotdoestheworkusingcomputervisionto sorttherecyclableproductsbasedonrecognitionofsize, shape,texture,andmuchmore.
Themajorchallengeofthecirculareconomydwellsonthe ever-increasingamountofplasticrecycling,andtherobot comestotherescue.Giventhefactthatmachinesarefaster andmoreaccuratethanhumans,wearenotatrisk.Thereby leveraginghumanworkerstodomorerewardingtasks.
Decomposition
Thepolymersgothroughthebreakingdownofpolymers intosortedplasticsandmonomerstoproducenewplastics. Theprocessofdecompositioncouldbedonewith chemicalsorheat.Itcanalsobedoneusingsolventsto breakpolymersintomonomers.
Somedecompositiontechnologiesinvolveusingenzymes tobreakdownpolymersataspecifictemperaturethatisnot aslowasroomtemperature,whichleadstolowerenergy consumption.
Purification
Thepurificationofplasticrequiressolventstoseparate polymersfromcontaminantsandadditives.Purification couldbeusedwithmixedorsortedplastics,unlikeother typesofrecyclingtechnologies.
ChemicalRecycling
Plasticmajorlyconsistsoflonghydrocarbonchains,which arebrokendownintoshorterhydrocarbonfractionsor monomersusingchemical,thermal,andcatalyticprocesses.
Chemicalrecyclingcomesunderasetoftechnologiesthat changethechemicalcompositionofplasticwaste.It involvespyrolysis,gasification,hydrocracking,and depolymerization.
Theshorthydrocarbonsarethenreadytobeusedas feedbackfornewchemicalreactionstoproducerecycled plastic.Themethodisanexceptionaltechnologywith substantialpotential.
DissolutionRecycling
Asthenameimplies,dissolutionrecyclingisaprocessof purificationinwhichpolymerspresentinmissedplastic wasteareselectivelydissolvedinasolvent.Itallowsitto beseparatedfromthewasteandrecoveredinitspurest formwithoutchangingitschemicalnature.
Organic
Recycling(BioGasification)
Thecontrolledmicrobiologicaltreatmentofbiodegradable plasticwasteunderaerobicconditionsoranaerobic conditionsistermedorganicrecycling.Itimpliesspecific polymersthatareconvertedundertheactionsof microorganisms,convertingthemintocarbondioxide, methane,stableorganicresidues,andwater
SteppingintoGreenManufacturing
Recycledplasticwastematerialshavenumerousdownflow purposesforeverydaygoods.Taiwanhasexecuteditsfirst transitionfromanagriculturaleconomytoalabor-intensive economy Whileitssecondtransitionledtoahigh-tech industrialeconomy,itinvolvedthedevelopmentof foundationaldesignsandapplicationsforrecycledwaste materials.
In a nutshell,
Asmentionedabove,technologicaladvancementsare upscalingatawidepacetowardsustainability Theboostof sustainabilityonlyenhancesthegreenvalueoftheearth thatweliveon.Inculcatingthesemethodscould considerablyreducethesurpluswasteofplastic,alongwith reducingthecarbonfootprintsofplasticallovertheglobe.
- Shreyasi Shelke
Whenacertaincompany’sscrapisproperly disposed,thechancesofthemendinguponthe blackmarketarelesstonone.Acompanycan alsobeconfidentthatitsliabilitywillbereduced,thatits competitorswillnotgainanadvantage,andthatthequality ofitsproductwillstaygood.Sometimes,itisdifficultto manageandtracethesupplychainofthepurchase,usage, andthedisposalofaproduct.Buttheroleofmodern technology,especiallythelikesofAI,canplayavitalrole inthesupplychain.
Usingcertifieddestructionservices,thedisposalprocedure canbetrackedandsecured.Thischainofcustodyensures thehighestlevelofprofessionalismbyincluding photographicandvideoevidenceofthedestruction.
Lookingatthis,TeknTrash,anAIanalyticscompany startedtoofferitsservicestodeliverthemissinglinkof productlifecycle.ItusesAItolocateproductsatdisposal timeandthusobtainrealtimeconsumerdata.
Inthefollowinginterview,AlCosta,theFounderand CEOofTeknTrash,shedslightonthejourneyofhis company,itsofferings,andthefutureaspectsofthe GreenTechsector
PleasebriefouraudienceaboutTeknTrash,itsUSPs, andhowexactlydoesithelpcompaniesmatchtheir salestotheireffectiveconsumption.
TeknTrashisanAIandanalyticscompanywhichobtains datafromtrash.Webelievethattodaywerecycle everythingexceptthemostimportantpart,whichisthe consumerdataaproductcontains.So,thewho,thewhen, andthewhereofadisposedproductareimportantmetrics whichneedtobeaccountedfor,andyetforsomereason theyarenot.
Top 5 Plas c Recycling Companies to Watch
Weliveinadata-basedworldanddatahasbeennamedthe ‘newoil’whichmakesevenlesssense.Finally,whilewe buyourproductsfrommanysources,thereisonesingle placewheretheyalleventuallyendupat,whichisthe garbage.Thus,beingabletolocatethoseproductsthere meansknowingtheentireconsumptionofanindividual, andthatispowerful.
ShedsomelightonTeknTrash’sofferingsandhowthey impacttheindustryanditsclients?
Webelievetherecyclingmodelisafailedone,asitonly punishesifpeopledon'trecycle,butdoesnotrewardifthey do.Andbecauseitdependsonthesaleofmaterials,which payslittle,soitisunabletopaytoo.Theendresultisthat today11%ofmethaneintheatmospherealreadycomes fromtrash(andmethaneis88timesstrongerthanCO2 causingglobalwarming),only6%ofplasticisactually recycled,thelargesttrashdumpisactuallytheGreatPacific GarbagePatch,etc.
So,wethinkdataisthesolutiontothatproblembecauseit isvaluable.So,wecanrewardpeopleforrecycling.Tothat end,wecreatedstipra.com,whichiscurrentlytheonly servicethateffectivelyrewardspeopleforproperrecycling, whileprovidingvaluablepost-salesdata.Regularpeople registeratstipra.comandtakepicturesoftheirconsumer productsbeforethrowingtheminthetrash.
Companiesthenregisteratcorp.stipra.comandconsume thatdata,geolocatingwheretheirproductsendedup.So, thisallowsconsumerproductcompaniesknowtheir consumersbetter,encouragesproperrecycling,andcreates asourceofincomeforvulnerablepeople.
Al,pleasebriefusaboutyourjourneyintheindustry andhowyouhavecontributedtoTeknTrash’ssuccess.
IamabiologistwithanMAinComputerEngineering.My fatherwasadiplomatandI’velivedincountriessuchas Haiti,sopovertyalleviationissomethingdeeplyingrained inme.IfoundedTeknTrashwhilelivinginBarcelonaand laterIcametotheUKtopromoteit.
Beforethat,IcreatedcompaniesinUSA,UK,Brazil,and Spain,soldmyfirsttoonelistedinNasdaq,fundraisedin SiliconValley,losteverythinginanother,soit’sbeenafun ride.Andthus,Iamcalledtohelpstartupswithmarketing, fundraising,andstrategy
TeknTrashisledbyateamofscientistsandthus,wedonot enjoythegreenwashingthatunfortunatelyistakingplacein themarket.Tothatend,IbroughtinDrKavehMadani, whoservedastheDeputyHeadofIran’sDepartmentof EnvironmentandwasVicePresidentoftheUnitedNations EnvironmentalAssemblyBureau,tocreateabusiness modelwhicheffectivelyrewardscompaniesparticipatingin Stiprawithrealandaccountablecarboncredits.
Infact,sincegarbageproducesmethaneandthatissucha strongGHGgas,evenasinglebottleproducesenough carbontobeabletotranslateintocredits,sothatmeans companiescanobtaincarboncreditstheycansellinthe marketforusingstipra.Forexample,Teslamakesmore moneyfromsellingcarboncreditstoitscompetitorsthan actualcarsales,sothatisarealopportunityforcompanies.
Beinganexperiencedleader,shareyouropiniononhow theadoptionofmoderntechnologieshasimpactedthe greentechspaceandwhatmorecouldbeexpectedin thefuture?
WhenitcomestoGreentech,Ialwaysmakeacomparison withtheBrazilianethanolmodel.Havinglivedinthat
AI Costa Founder and CEO TeknTrash
countryfor20years,Isawhowitcreatedabiofuelmodel thatisactuallysustainableandwidelyimplemented,asall fuelpumpscarryethanol,allpetrolcarries27.5%ethanol, ½ofthefleetisflex,etc.Andthatwascreatednotbythe needtobesustainableandtoreducecarbon,butsimply becausethecountrywouldnothavethefundstoimportoil duringthefuelcrisisof1973.
Thus,weneedtolookatthefinancialsustainabilityofa greensolution,asthatspeaksmuchlouderthantheESG component,andthereforeismoreabletobringwidespread usageandrealESGbenefits.
Infact,ifourleaderscouldseetheclearfinancialbenefitof ESG,theywouldtakeactions,buttheyareonlypresented withthepureenvironmentalbenefits,sotheyofcourse don’tcare.So,it’sapoormarketingschemeifyouaskme.
Consideringthecurrentpandemic,whatinitial challengesdidTeknTrashfaceandhowdidyoudrive TeknTrashtosustainoperationswhileensuringthe safetyofyouremployeesatthesametime?
Wemaybeoneofthefewcompanieswhichwere unaffectedfromthepandemic,asouroperationswere alreadyremote,andIplanthemtoeverbe.Inthis,Ialways makeacomparisonwithHarryPotter’sGringottsBank. ThisbankhasnoATMs,APP,onlinepresence,etc.It requiresitscustomerstogototheoneandonlyofficefor anycommonbankingoperationsuchaswithdrawing, depositing,gettingastatement,etc.
However,noonetodaywouldopenanaccountinabank whichrequiresitscustomerstogothere.Ontheotherhand, noonewouldtrustalotofmoneytoabankwhichhasno offices,whereonecangoandphysicallyspeakwitha managerwhenthingsgosour.That'swhybankscreated ATMs.Theseare‘offices’ofsortswherepeoplecando mostoftheireverydaybankingoperations,andifthey requiresomethingfancier,thentheycangotothemainone.
AtTeknTrash,weplantohaveasimilarmodel.Wewill havesmalloffices(ATMs)spreadacrosstheUKwhere employeescanwork,meet,anddousualeverydaywork. Theseofficeswillbeofthesizeofaroomwithspaceforup tofourpeopleandwillallowemployeestoworkataplace closetotheirhomes,whilestillphysicallyinteractingwith otheremployees.
Theywillhaveanappwhichallowthemtochoosethe closestofficetowherevertheyareatthemoment,openthe door,getalaptop,printer,etc.fromsomecloset,havea coffee,turnontheheating,etc.Forexample,iftheyneedto haveameetingwithmanypeople,theycanchoosealarger officeorjustgotothemainone.Thatway,theydon'tneed towastetheirlivesawaycommutingtoworkandtheycan stillfeelpartofanenterpriseinsteadoffeelinglikethey workinsolitudeofsometrappistmonastery.
Whatwouldbeyouradvicetobuddingentrepreneurs whoaspiretoventureintothegreentechmarket?
ThesameIalwaysgivetoanyentrepreneurirrespectiveof area:thattherearetwowaysofsucceeding.Thefirstwayis byquality:whenyoudotherightthing,talktotheright people,closetherightdeals,etc.However,thatusually requirespreviousexpertise,collegeeducation,etc.,andthat isthemainreasonwhysomanypeopledonottrybeingan
entrepreneur.Tothose,thereisasecondway,whichisby quantity.
Basically,goingthere,doingthewrongthings,talkingto wrongpeople,closingthewrongdeals,etc.,andbydoing thatacquiringtheexpertise,knowledge,techniques,etc. thatthebestMBAwouldnotbeabletoprovide.Both methodsleadtosuccess,theonlydifferenceisthesecond takeslongerasitrequiresmanymoretries,butitisalso moresatisfyingduetolearningalongtheway.
HowdoyouenvisionscalingTeknTrash’soperations andofferingsin2022andbeyond?
Weareembarkingonamajorfundraisewhichwillallowus ultimatelytodevelopasmartbin.Thiswillallowpeopleto justthrowtheirgarbageinonesinglebag,dotherecycling, takepicturesofalltheproducts,andrewardinstipra.com thecorrespondingpoints.Thesebinswillinitiallybe deployedinshoppingcenters,aswebelievethatthepublic wouldprefertogotoashoppingcenterthatusessmartbins whichrewardpeoplefortheirdisposedproductsratherthan othersthathaveoldandboringgarbagecans.
Inthefuture,weenvisionthistobecomeamajorplayerin therecyclingindustry,aswecouldtakethecontentofthis binstotherecyclingcenters,chargeforthatservice,and theywouldbegladtopayastheproductswouldalready muchbetterrecycledthanthroughthem.So,theywouldbe abletosellmorepaper,plastic,metal,etc.
Demonstrating Excellence
TeknTrash is a finalist to the Red Herring Top 100 Europe compe on in 2021. It was selected by the WEF (World Economic Forum) as one of the three most impac ul technologies, and Euronews chose TeknTrash as #1 Greentech company to watch in 2021.
“So far, we received three grants, so we are making good noise and ge ng recogni on. S pra.com is already capturing data on top products such as Nescafé, Nivea, Pepsi, and even Ikea furniture! So, we are happy overall,” Al concludes.
- by Eun Rockwell
Customerstodayexpecttobetreatedasindividuals
andnotaddressedwithstandard,prefabricated responses.Ideally,itisnowwidelyacceptedthat excellentcustomerservicecanbeakeydifferentiatorin buildingcustomerloyalty.Goingbythetrends,leading organizationsareredefiningtheirrelationshipswith customerstocreatemorepersonalexperiencesthrough focusingonthequalityofinteractions,initiativesthatbuild deeperengagement,andongoingmanagementofalasting relationship.
AccordingtoEconsultancyandAdobeglobalsurvey,65% oforganizationsconsiderenhancingtheirdataanalysisa criticalelementindeliveringabetterclientexperience. Interestingly,84percentofbusinessesthatundertakeefforts toenhancetheircustomerexperiencereportanincreasein income.
Intoday'sfast-changingbusinesslandscape,companies mustshareinformationaboutcustomerexpectationsearly intoproductdevelopmentcyclessothatproductsdon'thave nastysurprisesatlaunchtime.Customerswanta personalizedexperienceeverywheretheygo,andsocial mediaisinfluencingbusinessestochangetheirmarketing strategies.
WhatDoesaPersonalizedCustomerExperienceEven Mean?
Today,manycompaniesusesocialmediawebsitesto communicatewithcustomersandcreateapositiveimageof theorganization;however,notallorganizationsaredoingit well.Customersarenotonlyexpectingaresponsetotheir inquiryorcomplaintonsocialmedia,butthey'realso expectingapersonalizedexperience.
Apersonalizedcustomerexperiencemeansthatthe companyknowswhoyouareasacustomer,whatyoulike
anddon'tlike,andwhatyou'vepurchasedfromtheminthe past.Italsomeansthatthecompanyisawareofcurrent trendsandcanmakesuggestionsforproductsyoumaybe interestedin.Whenacompanyprovidesapersonalized customerexperience,itmakesthecustomerfeelspecialand appreciated.
WhyPersonalizingCustomerExperienceisImportant
Intoday'seconomy,it'smoreimportantthaneverfor companiestomakecustomersfeelvalued.Manyoftoday's customersareinformed,andtheyknowwhattheywant beforetheywalkintoastoreorlogontoanonlineretailer's website.Personalizingcustomerservicewiththecorrect informationattherighttimemakesgoodbusinesssense becauseresearchhasshownthatpersonalizedexperiences canincreaseconversionsbymorethan80percent.Italso buildstrustbetweenthecompanyandcustomers,which willresultinlifelongcustomerswhosharepositivereferrals aboutyourproductswiththeirfriendsandfamilymembers.
Itdoesn'tevenendthere.Youcanalsoincreasecustomer lifetimevalue(CLV)andreducechurnratesby personalizingcustomerservice.CLVisacalculationthat estimatesthelong-termprofitgeneratedfromacustomer relationship.Churnrateisthepercentageofcustomerswho discontinuetheirrelationshipwithacompanywithina givenperiodoftime.BothCLVandchurnrateare importantmetricstomeasurebecausetheyindicatehow successfulacompanyisatretainingcustomers.
HowtoDeliverPersonalizedCustomerService
Deliveringpersonalizedcustomerexperiencedoesn'thave tobeadauntingtask.Ideally,itshouldbeapartofyour organization'sculture,andtherearesomesimplethingsyou candotocreatethatpersonalizedexperienceforevery customer.Theveryfirstthingtodoisknowingyour customers
Thismeansgatheringinformationaboutthem,suchastheir preferences,whatdrivesthem,whatmakesthemhappy,and whatfrustratesthem.Youcangatherthisinformationina varietyofways,includingsurveys,interviews,focus groups,andsocialmedialistening.Todeliverpersonalized customerservice,hereareeightmorewaysyoucantry:
I. Buildarelationshipbasedonlisteningand understandingyourcustomers'problemsbefore gettingintosolutionsmode:Themoreknowledge youhaveaboutthechallengesyourcustomersface, theeasieritwillbeforyoutoproviderelevant answersatmultipletouch-pointsintime.Tobuilda relationshipwithcustomersbasedontrust,listenfirst withoutgivinganysolutions.Furthermore,respond totheissuesyouhearcustomerstalkthemostabout.
II. Alwaysbeawareofyourcustomers'changing needsandadjustaccordingly:Today,customer expectationsarehighintermsofvarietyand flexibility Withtheriseintechnologycomesan increasedinconvenienceforconsumers,so companiesmustcontinuallyevolvetheirproducts andservicestomeetcustomerneeds.Whenyour companyevolvesalongwiththemarket,your customerswillfeelliketheirrelationshipisevolving too.
III. Respondtoyourcustomersinatimelymanner:A personalizedcustomerexperiencerequiresthatyou beproactiveandreactiveatthesoonestpossible time;otherwise,yourisklosingtheirbusiness forever.Socialmediacanhelpfacilitatethisbyacting asatwo-waycommunicationplatformforcustomers andbrands.
IV. Connectwithyourcustomersthroughallchannels possible:Customersnowinteractwithcompanies throughavarietyofchannels,suchastraditional voicechannels(phone,chat),digitalchannels (website,socialmedia),self-servicechannels(FAQs, onlineforms),andindirectchannels(partners, dealers,etc.).Makesureyou'recoveringallyour basesbybeingwhereyourcustomersare.
V. Anticipatecustomerneedsandgreetthemwitha personalizedexperiencebeforetheyevenhaveto ask:Providingwhatyourcustomersarelookingfor beforetheyevenaskwillmaketheoverallpurchase experiencemuchmoresatisfying.Thiscanbedone throughcarefulanalysisofdata(customerhistory, demographics,andpreferences)tounderstandtheir buyingpatternsandtrends.
VI. Tailoryourmessagestoeachindividualcustomer: Customersdon'twanttofeellikethey'rejustoneof
manyfacelessindividualsthatyourcompanyis tryingtoreachoutto.Theywanttofeelspecial,so takethetimetopersonalizeeachmessage.In additiontotailoringmessagesforeachcustomer, makesurethatthemessageitselfisalsopersonalized –i.e.ifacustomerhasalreadymadeapurchasefrom you,don'tsendthema'welcome'message–itwill comeacrossasinsincereandfake.
VII. Providemultiplepathwaysofcommunicationwith yourcustomers.Tofacilitatepersonalized communication,makesurethatyouhavevarious channelsavailabletoconnectwithyourcustomers. Youcanusesocialmediaoranonlinemessaging systemtoprovidebothself-serviceassistanceand assistancefromaliveagentwhenevernecessary. Also,don'tforgetaboutthemoretraditional communicationroutesofphone,email,andlivechat.
VIII. Createaninteractivewebsitewhereuserscanhelp themselvesbeforegettingintouchwithcustomer servicewhentheyneedfurtherassistanceon somethingtheycannotanswer:Manycompanies arenowprovidingaself-serviceoptionontheir websitethatallowscustomerstohelpthemselves beforecontactingcustomerservice.Thishelps alleviatethepressureoncustomerservice representatives,whoareoftenbombardedwith inquiriesandcomplaints.Additionally,itallows customerstofindtheinformationtheyneedwithout havingtowaitforsomeonetogetbacktothem.
Bonus:Establishapresencewhereveryourcustomers are:Justbecauseyourcompanyisn'tsellingdirectlyon Facebookdoesn'tmeanthatyoushouldn'testablishapage; thisiswheremanyofyourcustomerswillbelookingfor updatesandproductinformation,whichwillultimately increasethelikelihoodofthemmakingapurchasefromyou inthefuture.
FinalWords
Deliveringpersonalizedcustomerservicecanbeadaunting task,butifyoufollowthetipsoutlinedabove,you'llbewell onyourwaytoprovidinganexceptionalexperiencefor yourcustomers.Remember,it'snotaboutwhatyouthinkis bestforthem–it'saboutlisteningandunderstandingwhat theywantandneed.Bytakingthisapproach,you'llbeable tocreatealastingrelationshipwithyourcustomersthatwill ultimatelybenefityourbusiness.
Plasticwaste Management
“Beingdifferent”
Thishasbeenaphrasethatmostpeopledesiredbut
didnotmaketheefforttochase.Humanswantto bedifferent,butonlyinthingsthatmightbe,in someway,profitabletothem.Theyalwayshidetheirselfinterestedreasons,butnobodyreallythoughtof“makinga difference.”
Butthisscenariohasbeenthesituationonlyinthepast.
Thetransformationthattheworldhasbeenwalkingthrough hasbroughtawarenesstoeverythingineverybeing.People areawareoftheirresponsibilitiesinongoingtimesandput forwardtheircapableeffortstomaintainthebalance.
Amajorproblemthattheworldiscriticallydealingwithis themanagementofthewasteproduced.Thishasbeen increasingwitheverypassingday,buthumansarenow revoltingagainstthisproblemandarecomingupwith simpleyeteffectivesolutionsthateveryonecanuseintheir day-to-daychoresthathelptoreallymakeadifference!
What are these simple yet effective plastic waste management solutions?
Move ahead to explore!
UsingReusableBags
Groceryshoppingisanecessitythatisunavoidableinany circumstance,butitalsohappensthatthegroceryhaul comeswiththeadditionofplasticbagsthatundoubtedly endupinthedustbin.Thisisthecorrecttimetolookatthe otheralternatives.
Asurveyhasresultedinanestimationof5trillionplastic bagsbeingusedeveryyear
Theuseofplasticbagshasseverelyimpactedtheenvironment,andthus,manycountrieshaveimposedbanson single-useplasticbagsandhavestartedimplementingmore focusedrecyclingprograms.
Switchingtoashoppingbagthatcanbereusedmultiple timesisagoodoption,suchasbagsmadefromhempand cotton,whichareconsideredtobethebestchoices.They canbeeasilyrecycled.
AvoidingPlasticDisposables
Theuseofplasticdisposableshasbeentheultimate conveniencetoolfordecades.Thesecanjustbethrownout andforgottenaboutratherthanbeingwashed.
Twenty-threemillionthreehundredthirty-threethousand eighthundredsixteenpoundsoftrashoffofwaterwaysand coastswerepickedupinthe2019InternationalCoastal CleanuporganizedbytheOceanConservancy.Itincluded around2.6millionpiecesofcups,plates,andplastic cutlery
Ratherthanpurchasingone-time-usedinnerware,theuseof plates,cups,straws,andsilverwarethatcanbecleanedand washedandusedoverandoveragainisabettermeasure. Thishelpskeepplasticoutofbeachesandlandfills.
MakingChangesinShoppingStyle
Whengoingtobuygroceries,itissometimesunavoidable tocomebackwithaplastic-freetrip.Plasticbagsmight
maketheexperienceconvenientduringthetimeof shopping,butitcomeswithanextrapriceofextrawaste! Whilepurchasingproducts,looseitemsmustbeselected andpackedinreusablebags.Ifprovidedthechoicebetween abagofpre-choppedwashedgreensandalooseheadof lettuce,theplastic-freeoptionmustbechosen. Duringthepurchaseofpackagedfoods,thechoiceof whetherthefoodissoldinthepaper,aluminumpackaging, orglassmustbemade.Thesearehandierintermsof reusingandrecyclingincomparisonwithplastic.
UsingEco-friendlyProducts
Thereisalotofplasticlyingaroundonthebathroom counter,drawers,andevenintheshower.
Thesustainablelivingmovementshavebeencreating momentumforsomeyearsandhavecomewithawaveof morehygienicandeco-friendlyproducts. Replaceplasticsoapcarriersandshampoobottleswithbars thataresoldwrappedinpaper Andduringthemenstrual cycle,thepadsortamponscanbereplacedwithareusable menstrualcup.Theselittlechangesnotonlysaveplastic wastebutalsosavemoney.
JustCarryingaBottle
Bottledwatercanbeusedforpeoplewhohavenochoice buttohaveaccesstosafewaterforreasonssuchas disastersorotherunavoidablecircumstances.Everydayuse ofthesebottleshasbecomeamajorenvironmentalrisk.
Somestudieshaveshownthatbottledwatermaynotbe goodforthebody.Bottledwaterfrom11differentbrands wasboughtfrom19differentlocationsin9countriesand tested.Theresearchersdiscoveredthatthesecontained microplastics.
Theeffectsofmicroplasticconsumptiononhumanhealth areunknown,buttheremaybegoodreasonstolimittheuse ofbottledwater
Eachday,around70milliondisposablewaterbottlesare usedandthrownaway Apartfromtheindustrialcost,these bottlesalsocosttheenvironment. Smallchangeslikecarryingawaterbottlecouldsavethe environmenttoo!
All You Need to Know!
TheFinalWords
Humanshaveexploitednature,whichinturnhasledto issueslikeglobalwarming.Variousmeasureshavebeen takenbycountriestorepairthedamagedone.Plasticwaste hasbeenacriticalproblemasitcannotberecycled.The awarenessofthishasbeenspreading,andeffective measuresarebeingappliedeverywhere.
- Harshal Wahane
Inaworldofever-evolvingsocialbehavior,humanshave madeittotheleaderboardforbeingthemostintelligent speciesontheplanet.
Did this iteration instill pride and sprout a zeal of enthusiasm? Or did it drive you on the memory lane of astounding development that society made after acclimatizing itself to the social setting of the socioecological ecosystem?
Iftheabovequestionsdrivenbyitspreviousiterationhave boggledyoutorediscovertheintelligentdiscoveries humansmadeandincarceratedyourmindtothinkof astonishingcapabilitiesofhumaninnovation,thenitis importantthatyouflipthecoinandcheckthroughthe ramificationofsocio-economicdevelopment.
And,youwouldlandonaheapofglobalenvironmental crises!
Startingfromthedegradabilityofplastictotheblackhole intheozonelayer,thecontemporaryworldisencapsulated bybreathtakingdiscrepancies.
So,howdoyouenvisionthefutureofsuchacontemporary crisis,knowingtheproblem-solvingattitudethathumans aregiftedwith?
DidyoualsothinkofSustainableBusinesses?Ifyoudid, thenweareonthesamepage!
Andknowingthisone-tunedmindset,WeatInsights Successtakeimmenseprideinintroducingyoutoan innovativecompanythatistransformingtherecycling industrywhiletrailblazingsustainablebusinesspractices, exemplifyingtechnologyleadership.
Knowntobeoneofthefinestplasticrecyclingcompanies, WEIMAMaschinenbauGmbHhassetitshighstandards formanufacturingandcustomerserviceforshredders, granulators,grinders,drainage,andbriquettepresses.With itsever-evolvingsustainabilitysolutions,thecompanyis drivingatransformationalchangethattrulymatters.
SpearheadingthistransformationinNorthAmericaisthe companyCEO-Mr.MadisonBurt.Heisastandout leaderwhofacilitatesrecyclingsolutions,providinga hassle-freeexperiencetoWEIMA’scustomers.
Let’sslideintohisexclusiveinterviewtolearnmoreabout thecompany’ssustainablesolutionsthatarecontributingto thispiousobjective.
Below are the interview highlights;
PleasebriefouraudienceaboutWEIMA,itsUSPs,and howitiscurrentlypositionedasoneofthemostreliable companiesintheshreddingmachinemanufacturing industry.
WEIMAAmerica,Inc.istheNorthAmericansubsidiaryof WEIMAMaschinenbauGmbHoutofIlsfeld,Germany We areasizereductionmachinerymanufacturerspecializingin equippingourcustomerswithtoolstohelptheiroperations besustainableandprofitable.WEIMAspecializesin manufacturingsingle-shaftshreddersandfour-shaft shreddersforvariousindustries,aswellasbriquettepresses anddrainagepresses.Theindustriesweserveincludebut arenotlimitedtowood,paper,plastic,metal, food/beverage,corrugate,packaging,textiles,andmore. WEIMAmachinesaremanufacturedandcustomizedbyour salesengineersforeachcustomertoensurethatweare deliveringtheidealsizereductionsolution.Onesizedoes NOTfitallatWEIMA.
Mr. Madison Burt CEO WEIMA
Pleasetellusmoreaboutyourcompany’scorevalues, vision,andmission.
WEIMAtakesaninnovativeapproachtomanufacturing andbelievesina“ .”TheR&D world without waste departmentrecognizesthatastheworldchanges,waste streamschange,andWEIMAmachinesareatthebeginning ofwastedisposalandrecyclingprocesses.Thisallowsthem tocontinuedevelopingthetechnologywithafocusonthe future.Withservicetechniciansworldwideandin-house partsdepartments,WEIMAknowsthatcustomerservice doesnotendwiththesaleofamachine.Instead,asale beginstherelationshipwiththecustomer,andmanyclients becomerepeatcustomersbecauseofthisaddedbenefit. WEIMAhasalsobeenafamilybusinessfromthevery start.Thecompanyhasgrownsignificantlyin40years,but ithasalwayskeptthatfamilyfeel.
Pleasebriefusaboutyourjourneyintheindustryand howyouhavemadethecompanyexcelinitscompetitive market.
IamagraduateoftheEngineeringprogramatMississippi StateUniversity.Iwentontopursueasalespositionfora hammermillcompany,whichledtomyinterestinsize reductiontechnology.Myexperiencetherebroughtmeto theWEIMAsalesdepartmentin2002.Ihavegrowninto theroleofVicePresidentofSales&MarketingatWEIMA, whereItookonthechallengeofleadingasalesteamthat wouldmassivelyexpandtheNorthAmericancustomer base.In2022,IwasnamedChiefExecutiveOfficerof WEIMAAmerica,Inc.
Pleasetellusaboutthevariousspecializedmachinery manufacturedandsoldbyWEIMAtodelivertheideal scrapsizereductionsolutiontoitsclients.
Industrial shredders:
WEIMAmanufacturesshreddersofallsizesand specifications.Mostofitscustomersaremanufacturerswith productionscrapthatneedstobereintegratedorsize reducedpriortodisposalorreuse.Thesizeandscopeofthe shredderaredeterminedbytheproductthatisbeing shredded,aswellasthecustomer’sgoalwiththematerial afterit’sbeenprocessed.Forexample,asolidwood furnituremanufacturermayshreditswoodenskeletonsor endcutsusingasmallershredder(WLK4-8)torecyclethe solidwoodorsendittobeusedasanimalbeddingor groundcover.Ontheotherhand,averylargeWEIMA shredder(PreCut)mightbeusedtopre-sharemunicipal
solidwasteatanMRFsothatitcanbesorted,washed,and recycled.Shreddersplayalargeroleintherecyclingof household,production,andmunicipalwaste.
Briquette presses:
WEIMAalsomanufacturesbriquettepresses,whichare usedtotakeloosematerialandcompressitintohockey puck-shapedbriquettes.Therearemanybenefitsof briquetting,includingdustcontrolinmessyenvironments (forexample,paperandwoodshredding/manufacturing processestendtocreatealotofdangerous,messydust)as wellasspacesavings.Inlocationswhereboilersareusedin theheatingprocessofbuildings,woodbriquettesare burnedtosupplementtheneedforenergy
Thebriquettingprocessuseshydraulicpressureandno binders,whichmeansthebriquettesburncleanlyifthe materialitselfwasnottreatedwithchemicalspriorto briquetting.Inthemetalsindustry,briquettingmetalchips andswarfisusefulduringtherecyclingprocessbecause densebriquetteshavelessburn-offduringsmeltingthan loosematerial.Thisincreasesthepricearecycleriswilling topayforbriquettesmadeofmetalbecauseitincreasesthe amountofmetalthatcanbereclaimed.
Drainage presses:
WEIMArecentlydebuteditsnewestlineofsizereduction machinery:drainagepresses.Thesemachinesspecializein simultaneouslydrainingcontentswhilecompressingthe surroundingpackaging.Theindustriesthatbenefitfromthis technologyspecificallyincludecanningandbeverage, cosmetics,automotive,foodpackaging,andmore.For example,thesecompactmachinescanbesetupnextto beveragecanninglines.Whenthefillingmachinerydetects out-of-speccans(under-filledorimproperlysealedcans),it canautomaticallyejectthemintothedrainagepress.The presswilldraintheliquidthat’salreadyinsidethecanintoa catchbasinordrainandthencompressthealuminuminto 200mmdiscs.Thisallhappensinoneeasystep,andthere aremanybenefitstothisprocess:aluminumreclaimsmore valuabletometalrecyclersinthiscompressedform,the canninglineeliminatesdefectiveproductsgoingtomarket, andthespaceinthewarehouseismaximized.Often, beveragecompaniespayanemployeetoopenandempty out-of-speccansmanually Thistechnologyfreesthose employeesuptodomorelucrative,beneficialtasks.This alsoworkswiththingslikeplasticshampoobottles,paper milkcartons,tetra-paks,andmore.
WEIMA takes an innovative approach to manufacturing and believes in a world without waste.
ExpandonhowWEIMA’smachinesarehelping businessesfurthertheirsustainabilityefforts.
Oftenbusinessesthinkthatsustainabilitywillcosta fortune.True,investingintheenvironmentcanbepricy,but WEIMAbelievesthatwithsomeforethoughtandcreativity, theprocesscanbeprofitableandenvironmentally beneficial.Findingwaystoreuseyourownscrap,ortouse reclaimedscrapintheinitialproductionprocess,ispartof cleverrecyclingpractices.WEIMAbelievesthataworld withoutwasteispossible.Thisprocessbeginswith manufacturersthinkingstrategicallyabouttheproductsthey produceandhowtheycanmaximizepre-existingwaste streamsinthoseprocesses.
Pleaseshareyouropiniononhowtheadoptionof technologyhasbenefitedyourindustryandhowyour companyisadaptingtothechange.
Sizereductionmachinerywasonceanovelconceptin manufacturingsectors,butwiththeadvancementof materialstreams,sizereductionmachineryhasanswered thosechanges.Evolvingalongsidenewwastestreamsisthe primarygoal,andWEIMAhasacceptedthechallengeto remainvigilantandneverstopinnovating.The developmentsofothertypesofmachineryhavegonehandin-handwithshreddingandcompressing.Wewanttoshow companiesthevalueofscraprecyclingandreintegration throughmachinery—wherethereisproductionmachinery, sotooshouldthereberecyclingmachinery.Inthisway,the industrymovesforwardtogether.
Inyouropinion,whatlimitationsdobusinessesfacein betterusingtheirwastematerials?Andhowisyour companyplanningtohelpsuchbusinessesdealwith thesechallenges?
Frequentlypeopleaskuswhattheycandowiththescrap materialafterithasbeenshreddedorcompressed.Thisis thelargestchallengeforcompanies—tothinkaboutwhat comesnext.
Weencouragebusinessestobeawareoftheothertypesof manufacturingandproductionthatarenearbyandto collaboratewiththoseoperations.Forexample,wood shreddingcanbenefittheagricultureindustryintheformof animalbeddingorgroundcover Anearbyagricultural processwouldbeidealbecauseofthedecreasedneedfor transportation/shipping.Manufacturersofcompositeplastic productshavebeenknowntousereclaimedplasticbottles andpackagingintheproductionofdecking,outdoorchairs, etc.It’simportanttothinkcreativelyand,ifpossible,to thinklocal.
WEIMAiscommittedtotellingthestoriesofthese customerswhohavedonejustthat,andwehopetoinspire businessestofollowinthosefootstepsandthenforgetheir ownpaths.
Whatwouldyouradvicebetothebudding entrepreneursandenthusiastsaspiringtoventureinto theshreddingindustry?
WEIMAencouragesprospectstofirstconsiderthewaste theyarealreadycreatingintheirmanufacturingprocess. Howisitshaped?Whatisitmadeof?Whatindustries couldusethisproduct,andwhere?Afterthesequestionsare answered,theWEIMAengineeringteamcanworktogether withaprospecttomeettheneedsofthatsecondaryprocess duringshredding.
Howsmalldoesthethroughputneedtobetobeusefulin thenextprocess?Isitpossibletoreintegrateyourown scrapintoyourownmanufacturingprocess?
ThesequestionsandmorecanhelptheWEIMAengineers customizeashreddingorcompressingsolutionthatis tailoredtotheprospect’sgoals.
HowdoyouenvisionscalingyourWEIMA’soperations andoutreachin2022andbeyond?
TheCOVID-19pandemic,amongotherthings,has producedmanysupplychainissuesworldwide.Thishas
mademanufacturersthinkmorecriticallyaboutwhat they’recreatingandhowthey’resourcingtheirraw materials.Creativityandflexibilityhavebecomevitaltoa company’ssurvivalinthismarket.WEIMA’sextensive knowledgepriortothepandemicallowedustohelp customersrespondtotheever-presentneedforraw materials.WEIMAispreparedtocontinuetheprocessof empoweringoperationstolooktothefuturein2022and beyond.
Pleasegiveusafewtestimonialsfromyourclientsanda listofawards/recognitionsthataccuratelyhighlight yourorganization’spositioninthemarket.
A complete list of customer stories can be found here. The following illustrates the forward-thinking nature of current customers:
Shredders:
FiberonDeckingCo.iscreatingcompositedeckingfroma proprietaryblendofreclaimedplasticscrapandwoodfiber Thisprocessisbothenvironmentalandhighlyprofitable.
Drainagepresses:
FiddleheadBrewingCo.usesadrainagepressfrom WEIMAtoreclaimout-of-specproducts.Theydrainthe beerandcompressthealuminumcansforeffective recycling.
EmmiisadairyprocessorinSwitzerlandthatusesa WEIMAdrainagepresstodrainmilkcartonsoftheir contents,compressthepackaging,andreclaimdairy productsforhygienicReWork.
Briquettepresses:
ClassicGraphicsisapaperprintingcompanythat connectedaWEIMAbriquettepressintoitsairsystem usingarotaryairlock.Theairsystemcollectsdustcreated duringthecuttingprocess(anaturalby-product)and transportsitoutbacktobebriquetted—muchsaferand moreefficient.
