Recycling Innovation and Entrepreneurs

Boro-Wide Recycling Corp.

Maspeth, NY 718-416-1656

www.BoroWideRecycling.com

Over the years, we have become much more aware of our effect on the environment.  There have been several “go-green” campaigns launched to raise awareness about the importance of recycling.  When does inspiration begin for recycling entrepreneurs?  It can happen anywhere at any time! 

Inspiration came to Jimmy Tomczak from, Vibram’s Fivefingers footwear line.  Tomczak now utilizes scrap vinyl for his unique lightweight footwear.  Jimmy often preferred to be barefoot but his gravel driveway caused some painful problems.  He experimented with various materials to make footwear before using vinyl.  He was working as a roofer and witnessed billboards being updated.  He arranged to use the scrap vinyl from billboards as a substitute for the costly tarps for roofing jobs.  Eventually he decided to use it to shape into footwear, and today his company produces “paperfeet” sandals. 

Another recycling entrepreneur, Ray DelMuro, a mechanical engineer by trade found his recycling inspiration in wine.  Not drinking it but cutting the glass from bottles and making them into wine glasses.  His company called Refresh Glass, sells his products through outlets such as Whole Foods and Skymall Magazine.  He launched his business dedicated to re purposing wine bottles, creating beautiful yet functional wine glasses out of empties.  He collects leftover bottles from restaurants and other location in the Phoenix area and recycles them to be used for a similar purpose, holding wine.  Finally, one of the most innovative ideas came from the founder of BigBelly Solar, Jim Poss.  One day while passing a trash vehicle in action, he noticed some of the inefficiencies of the operation including idling at the pick-up point, blocking traffic and emitting a cloud of smoke from the tail pipe.  A vehicle whose sole purpose is to clean the environment was actually polluting it at the same time.  After doing research and finding that garbage trucks consume over 1 billion gallons of gas per year, he decided to develop the world’s first solar-powered compactor.  This significantly reduces the collection costs as well as the air pollution from the trucks. 

Inspiration can come from anywhere! There are always people out there trying to help our environment and protect our planet.  New ideas and innovations are forming every day and some, like these, come from something so simple that have developed into ground breaking innovations.  Keep an eye out and maybe you will become inspired to develop your own recycling innovations!

For further information on these entrepreneurs, visit http://recycling.about.com/od/Resources/ss/Recycling-Innovation-And-Entrepreneurs_4.htm