Making hay from scrappy ideas
Before you throw out the Champagne bottle from your New Year’s Eve party or that carton your new iPad came in, ask yourself a question: What can you make out of this?
A lot of people are asking themselves that very same thing. 2011 will be the year of creative reuse of empty packages at so many levels, I’m sure of it!
Here’s proof: From our mail bag–Dr. Carson from Bar 7 Ranch found a way to advertise being green…
I have procured a bunch of old advertising billboard vinyls. I’m using them to cover my hay.My “green” question. Do you see any kind of application for these billboard vinyls in a possible packaging application? They are 3-ply, waterproof, and really heavy duty. It seems like that some manufacturing operation could utilize them to cover finished inventory or use them in packaging for shipping!?!
I thought you might have some insight into this possible recycle opportunity!?!
DR CARSON
Dr. Carson, meet TerraCycle, the king of upcycling! Anyone else care to share their ideas for what to do with these ads? Unitizing pallets? Sealing ship-bound cargo from salt spray?
Will 2011 be the year that municipalities eye flexible packaging materials for more than their BTU value? Recyclers don’t have to be so “rigid,” do they?
Lefty commented:
Me and this article, sittnig in a tree, L-E-A-R-N-I-N-G!
Adam commented:
This was a great article. The food packaging was structurally as well as environmentally sound great Idea.
Hank commented:
I am sure we can all imagine a variety of applications for the material. I suspect there are hundreds of billboards going up and coming down everyday. Where do they go? The challenge with recycling or reuse programs is the collection and distribution. Which came first the market or the infrastructure?
Terry commented:
Great idea and use of resources for covering hay or silage. Being a farmer myself I would be interested in some verses purchasing new and I can see some potential to that same market.I would appreciate a contact name and number to discuss further.
AP Everly commented:
It’s reassuring to see usage of empty packaging or materials move beyond the arts and crafts set. Rethinking alternative/secondary applications is a key step toward our new understanding of what it means to be green. Thanks for bringing Dr. Carson’s story to our attention.
Waheed commented:
This sounds interesting and creative. I am moved and would like to hear/see more.
