Byproduct Synergy Groups Unite!

Yesterday Chicago Manufacturing Center and Region V EPA sponsored a workshop of Midwest regional byproduct synergy groups. In the room were the Kansas City Regional By-Product Synergy Project (BPS), the Iowa Waste Exchange, E4S Zero Waste Northeast Ohio, IMEC Illinois Waste to Profit Network, Missouri MEP who creates byproduct synergies through their Lean, Clean and Clean program, Center for Resilience at Ohio State University, and our own Chicago Waste to Profit Network. There was great energy in the room and a strong desire to continue with byproduct synergies as a solution to waste. Check out these sister networks and watch this blog for updates on regional collaborations.

Latest Waste to Profit News!

Local Solution Identified for Polystyrene

For companies producing a waste stream of polystyrene (#6 plastic)- we'd like to hear about it. The WTP Network team has identified a recycler of this material and is working to establish an aggregation center for the material in Chicago. If you have landscape flats, beverage cups, food containers, or anything made of polystyrene which you have been disposing of, contact us. We may be able to help.

Quarter 1 Update

In the first quarter of 2009, member companies in the Waste to Profit Network diverted more than 13,893 tons of waste from landfill and eliminated an estimated 9,725 tons of CO2. These synergies have created an estimated economic benefit of mare than $1,189,200 to the companies involved. Way to go!

Composting Progress

As the ILGA votes on a rule change which could permit food waste composting in Illinois, the Waste to Profit Network is busy coordinating with service providers hoping to create both feedstock for food waste composting from our member companies as well as the market in Illinois for compost. Illinois will not only benefit environmental and agriculturally from the evolution of these standards, but the composting industry will create economic benefits for everyone involved, and establish many green collar jobs through the state. Contact the Network team if you would like to be included in our collaborative preparations for the development of this industry.

WtP Investigation into Foundry Sand Reuse

One stated priority of both the Illinois EPA and the US EPA is the establishment and education of foundries about the process and requirements for diverting foundry sand from landfill. As reuse alternatives could be environmentally beneficial over landfill disposal, it is important for industry representative groups such as the Waste to Profit Network to:

• understand what is needed to ensure that foundry sand meets the environmental and safety requirements necessary for reuse
• ensure testing is available, affordable and transparent,
• ensure reuse opportunities such as remanufacture, soil amendment and soil stabilization are both appropriate and end users have been identified
• liaise the process between foundries and end users
• document successes for educational purposes

If you are a foundry or interested in foundry sand reuse, contact the WTP team for more information.

Waste to Profit on Planet Green - Renovation Nation

For those of you with cable there is a relatively new channel called Planet Green with a series on renovation and construction oddly enough called Renovation Nation. Chicago is regularly featured on the show and the Waste to Profit Network was featured in an episode last fall. One of our success stories, Engineered Glass Products and Gilasi, is used for the counter tops in a green kitchen remodeling project. Catch the episode on the Green Channel March 31st at 6:00PM CT, April 1st at 2:00AM (for all you insomniacs out there), and April 1st at 10:00 AM CT. Look for Chicago:Kitchen Facelift in your TV listings to make sure there are no schedule changes.

For more information about the show go to: Chicago:Kitchen Facelift

Episodes can also be downloaded from the iTunes store for $1.99.

Enjoy!!

Moraine Valley Community College Second Annual Green Forum- Sign Up Today!

Come and learn about government programs for going green, green construction for home and business, green products, meet green companies in our area, and more.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009
9 a.m. to Noon
Silver Lake Country Club
14700 S. 82nd Ave., Orland Park

The day will include:
• Breakfast
• Panel presentation on residential green construction, as well as dollars and resources available for businesses, homes, community organizations, and more.
• Green exhibitors: builders, business owners with green products, municipalities, healthcare providers, as well as solar, wind and recycling experts, state agencies, and RESNET.

The cost of the event is $50 per person • $450 table of 10 • Course #EV4-200-100

To register: Call (708) 974-2110 with a credit card or visit the Registration Office in the College Center (will be Building S after March 18).

Previously registered students may use morainevalley.eduhttp://www.morainevalley.edu.

For information or group registration: Call Workforce Development and Community Services at (708) 974-5735, e-mail wdcs@morainevalley.edu or visit morainevalley.edu/wdcs.

Next Innovation & Community Network Meeting Date Set

The Chicago Waste to Profit Network will be hosting a combined Innovation Network and Community Network working meeting on Thursday, May 21st at the Chicago Center for Green Technology. The event will include a closed work session for Innovation Network members only from 9:00-12:00 and a combined open session in the afternoon from 12:00-3:30. A light lunch will be provided. The event is free, but registration is required. Please follow the link below to confirm your attendance.

Community Network Registration

Innovation Network Members RSVP

World Water Day Event Announced

A townhall meeting will be held on Sunday, March 22 from 2:00-4:00 PM at the Friendship Park Conservatory - 395 Algonquin Rd, Des Plains, IL 60018 www.mppd.org/conservatory.php (847.298.3500).

The event will be hosted by Metropolitan Water Reclamation Commissioner Debra Shore, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, State Representative Julie Hamos, State Representative Elaine Nekritz, State Senator Jeff Schoenberg, and Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin.

Discussion topics will include water supply, water quality, stormwater management, disinfection of the Chicago River, and other environmental concerns, such as disposal of pharmaceuticals.

Do You Have 55-Gallon Drums?

If you regularly dispose of 55-gallon plastic drums, and are eager to identify a more eco-friendly and profitable home for them, contact a Waste to Profit team member today! WtP has been working with a manufacturer of rain barrels who seeks to source only reclaimed 55-gallon plastic drums as feedstock for their production. Barrels must be RCRA-empty (triple washed) but may be worth a considerable amount more than you could get for recycling them. Food-grade barrels are especially in demand. Contact us by email: wastetoprofit@gmail.com for more information.