The following SMART 100 profile and the information it contains is a duplication of content submitted by the applicant during the entry process. As a function of entry, applicants were required to declare that all details are factually correct, do not infringe on another’s intellectual property and are not unlawful, threatening, defamatory, invasive of privacy, obscene, or otherwise objectionable. Some profiles have been edited for reasons of space and clarity. More about the SMART 100.
This innovation initially came to life when…
I was working in a bulky goods retail store in 2005. I noticed the huge amount of white polystyrene foam that was going into the bin – and ultimately ending up in landfills. I thought, ‘There must be a better way to recycle’… so I started looking, only to find drop-off locations which not only charged, but you also had to drop it off to them! I looked elsewhere, to no avail. That was when I realized that the cost of disposal was because it weighed nothing, and took up lots of space. That’s how the HG machine was born.
WHAT & HOW
The purpose of this innovation is to…
…turn a costly waste material into a value-added commodity at the point where the waste is generated. It decentralizes a logistics-based waste collection business, making recycling more cost-effective. It takes EPS out of general waste – and landfill.
It does this by…
…compacting the EPS in a small machine. First people feed the material into the hopper, then it crushes all the EPS. Then it falls into a chamber that uses a screw to press the material. This creates a 40:1 reduction in volume, creating a saleable item, and also taking it out of landfill. Customer saves dollars, and we have commodity.
PURPOSE & BENEFITS
This innovation improves on what came before because…
…it allows EPS (expanded polystyrene) waste generators to now compact the waste at source. Taking it out of landfill, and saving companies money on bin pickups. Better waste management, at a better price. Before, the only way was to fill a truck up, which would only weigh 20 kgs, and take it to a recycler, where they charged you.
Its various benefits to the customer/end-user include…
…clear reduction in waste costs, through less pickups. Volume reduction creates a commodity, and offsets their cost of equipment. It creates great PR opportunities for retailers alike because they are able to promote that they are at the forefront of recycling.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
In the past, this problem was solved by…
…loose collection of EPS, which was charged, or waste companies would simply put the material straight into the general waste bin. Tips were charging upwards of $1,000 per tonne, and the whole time it was recyclable. Companies have always found EPS waste to be a real pain. It takes up space, but also it costs so much to transport.
Its predecessors/competitors include…
…various recyclers, mostly located in and around metropolitan areas, thus making regional areas out of reach to cost effectively recycle EPS waste. Now we can create commodity anywhere throughout Australia.
TARGET MARKET
It is made for…
…commercial and industrial clients that generate expanded polystyrene waste. Retailers such as 2nds world, Smeg appliances, the Good Guys, Harvey Norman, are all generators of polystyrene foam waste. We also now have larger models of our patented design which is targeted to recyclers and the like to create export grade blocks from our machines. Councils, and many government departments and universities all use our equipment to divert EPS from landfill.
DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY
It is available for sale through…
…direct. We do not sell through distributors, apart from in overseas markets. We now offer a fully consolidated waste management service offering. So not only do we supply the equipment to better manage the waste, but also the collection services.
Our marketing strategy is to…
…contact industry-specific waste generators of EPS waste. Use online laser targeted specific marketing campaigns to promote ourselves as a fresh alternative to simply lifting bins. We now offer a full service, for general waste, other types of recycling, as well as our initial focus of EPS recycling.
SUPPORTING IMAGES AND/OR VIDEO
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To check out the Anthill SMART 100 Readers’ Choice winner for 2010, click here.
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