Could Garbage Be America's #1 Resource?
by Tom Szaky of TerraCycle, Trenton NJ 
on 11.26.08
Garbage is America's #1 export and possibly the biggest raw material source we have. But what is waste? And why do we make it?
In nature, waste does not exist - if it did we would not be here today since the creation of a material that another life form cannot use is not sustainable and would lead to the destruction of our eco-system. One way to look at waste is that it is a commodity with negative value. That is, it's a commodity that we are willing to pay to get rid of. It is a liability that has to be transported quickly and efficiently to a landfill.
Waste is also a new idea - probably no more than 100 years old. It is an idea that came about with the birth of complex polymers and consumerism (brought on by the fad for disposable products in the 1950s). If necessity breeds innovation, then we are long overdue to find innovative ways to solve the waste issue, which is exactly what TerraCycle (which I started) hopes to do.
But is it really all that bad? What if we start finding value in waste? I have dedicated the past six years to that very task, in building TerraCycle www.terracycle.net, and have found that if looked at in the right perspective there is no such thing as waste and that using waste to make products leads to an economic structure where you start with negative raw material costs.
By creating a successful business model from waste, I hope to shift the paradigm of this quickly mounting eco-issue. If TerraCycle can succeed and be profitable building products and packaging entirely from waste, surely imitators will come along. If enough businesses begin to use this undervalued material the demand for garbage will skyrocket. As we all know, when demand goes up then supply goes down, which in the case of garbage, is a very good thing!
Through my posts on Treehugger (this being the first one), I will bring you ideas and stories on a weekly basis about how we can transform waste into highly profitable solutions and in the end eliminate the entire of waste!
Want to pile up more knowledge on Garbage?
Set Sail to Study Garbage
Building With Garbage
Follow @TreeHugger on Twitter & get our headlines with @TH_rss!
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Zero Waste—The Newest Eco-Fashion Innovation?
- Recycled Plastic Workout Gear is Great for Fitness, Great for Planet
- Surf Green with Eco-Friendly Surf Gear
- Does Recycling Really Make a Difference?
- Green Your Bikini Waxing Routine with Soy, Pine Sap and Organic Bikini Wax
- The Week's Best DIY Projects: Kid-Friendly Coloring Books, Energy-Saving Chargers, and Woven Coasters
Well that wasn't a shameless plug was it?
I expect better.
That said, as with all environmental problems, the most successful solutions will be the ones which can be profitable.
Actually, we've brought so many of the world's resources here during the petrol era and thrown them out, that our garbage heaps are gold mines, if someone can figure out how to extract the resources without polluting too much or spreading the toxicity into the air or water more than it already is.
In regards to the article being a "shameless plug"... I'm afraid you've missed the point.
This being Mr. Szaky's first article I believe he's just providing us with his background as it speaks volumes and shows that he does know what he's talking about.
And you expect "better?" My you have high expectations... Have you seen what Terracycle does? This world needs to have many TerraCycle (www.terracycle.net) imitators.
I look forward to more articles from Mr. Szaky's perspective.
A. These things would add immeasurable value to the economy long-term::
1. Renewable energy, made abundant by efficiency.
2. Sustainable industry (using correct materials and recycling).
B. We need to find the best way to borrow a bunch of money and invested it in spiking the economy short-term. That is, we should only spend this fantastically huge amount of borrowed money in a way that will bring the maximum return on investment (sustained tax higher tax revenue--growth) long-term.
Simplified, but still helpful, chart:
http://gnuber.com/pix/HolisticPolicy.png
all garbage that is not metal should be turned into oil
all plastics, papers, fabrics, food waste, cardboard, wood etc.
Anything Into Oil
mine all garbage dumps and landfills for the raw materials
recycle the metals
a step further - take all sewage solids & do the same thing
Tom,
I have looked up to you since TerraCycle's foundation. You are definitely an inspiration to all environmentalists. I will be following all of your postings in Treehugger from here on out.
I have been analyzing waste for a non-profit cultural facility for over three years now (among some other things) for use in a waste to energy facility using gasification. By choosing renewable products (EPP) and extending recycling programs I believe that a business can completely eliminate waste. Disposable products are a reality in any visitor oriented operation. By embracing the opportunity of educating guests and giving them direction (through education) we believe we can make a difference by redefining waste.
Thank you for bringing the concept of waste to the forefront and I hope that Terracycle continues to grow and demonstrate what a company can do to re-imagine the world we live in.
Best regards,
Paul
I've taken an option out to buy the great pacific garbage patch. Someday I'll be richer then Bill Gates and Warren Buffet put together.
Garbage isn't even vaguely close to America's #1 resource.
And your idea might work if you could pay people pennies to do it, but you can't.
There is nothing wrong with a certain amount of self promotion when the message is worthy- this one is, I've been watching Mr. Szaky/Terracycle's development, I think this is a great product and a great idea.
He's right. Looking forward to more of this.
Looking forward to your posts Tom. I agree that some people are missing the point of this post. Thanks, Tom, for telling us you story. I am sure most people, like me, on here are very much looking forward to your posts.
Looking forward to your posts Tom. I agree that some people are missing the point of this post. Thanks, Tom, for telling us you story. I am sure most people, like me, on here are very much looking forward to your posts.
There is no such thing as waste. We may change matter from one form to another and move it around but it all stays here. Well I guess we have shipped a few things off into outer space. Waste is a matter of perspective. Keep up the good work with terracycle it is the future. I would like to get involved I've got many ideas.