Great Lakes Circular Materials Roundtable: Reuse - May 25, 2021
Overview
Our seventh Great Lakes Circular Materials Roundtable was hosted in May 2021 and focused on direct material reuse. Here's a quick recap, and some key takeaways and observations from our team:
Presentations were provided by these speakers:
Jim Cosby, President and Owner of Epaint on creating a business model from direct material reuse
Paul Thoms, General Manager Midwest Fuel Injection on implementing material reuse as business practice
Key Takeaways
Recycling and reuse are foundational for a circular economy and have distinct differences, applications and challenges.
Recycling is a series of activities by which material that has reached the end of its current use is processed into material utilized in the production of new products.
Reuse is extending the life of an item by using it more than once, for the same or a new function. By taking a useful product and exchanging it without reprocessing, reuse retains the embedded energy and natural resources used in the product’s manufacturing process.
Many have built successful business models based on the direct reuse of recurring materials, especially where a technical proficiency in the material already exists.
These businesses often operate on tight cost margins and may have challenges identifying cost-effective processes that do not compromise the ultimate marketability of their products.
Material resellers are usually able to penetrate markets quickly with competitively low retail prices and have secured their standing against original manufacturers by creating partnerships with other brands or becoming certified dealers.
Many business processes can effectively incorporate direct material reuse for a wide range of items from packaging and containers to mechanical parts and components.
Material remanufacturing/refurbishing/repair and reuse is especially effective for items that are complexly engineered and expensive to replace.
Misinformed and negative attitudes towards the durability and soundness of a reused item may affect the marketability of reused materials; however, product certifications (like from Manufactured Again) allow buyers and users to confidently incorporate reused materials into their processes.
Many in the public and private sector would still like to see more aggressive policy tools to drive reuse in manufacturing.
Action Items
The Materials Marketplace team is working directly with individuals who have opportunities to divert high volumes of reusable materials from landfill, and additional action items include:
Explore opportunities to boost reuse-related businesses with an EGLE market development grant:
Continue networking and learning about opportunities in the Great Lakes material reuse space by attending upcoming networking events. Register for upcoming events here.
Identify more opportunities for material reuse within your organization and across facilities by inviting your colleagues to join the Materials Marketplace and encouraging them to list their available and wanted materials.
Register to attend an upcoming Networking Hour to keep exploring opportunities for material reuse in your business.