2019 Upcyclers Network Product Award Winners
The Upcyclers Network Product Awards highlight innovative businesses that are converting “waste” into value added material and products. These innovators are integral to challenging our perception of what is waste by supporting the creation of a more sustainable production system that decreases our reliance on virgin resource use. For full product and company descriptions, please review the attached press release.
Material Innovation/Creativity
B2B: Substrate Wall Panel, Global Fiberglass Solutions
B2C: Airbag Backpack, Rewilder (pictured)
Closed Loop Solutions
B2B: Armstrong Ceiling Tile
B2C: Public Thread (with Steelcase)
Scale
B2B: Aluminum Can, Can Manufacturers Institute
B2C: Local Layer, Recover
Honorable Mention
Sana Ocean Tube, Sana Packaging
Closing the Material Loop-How Innovators from the Public and Private Sector are Creating Value from Waste
Closing the Material Loop features over 30 case studies, interviews, and editorials contributed by corporate, non-profit, and public sector leaders who understand the economic and environmental imperative to utilizing waste. By shining a spotlight on organizations and partnerships that have created successful programs and business models to recover and reuse materials, the report aims to inspire more communities and businesses to take a proactive role in uncovering the value within their waste.
Featured public sector and non-profit organizations included in the report are Cal Recycle, the City of Austin, the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment, Kent County, the City of Phoenix, the Southeast Recycling Development Council, Lonely Whale, NextWave, the Resource Solutions Innovation Network, and the US Business Council for Sustainable Development.
Featured private sector organizations included in the report are Aquafil, the Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Best Buy, Circular Solutions Advisors, Dell, Ecoculture Manufacturing Corp, Ecologic Brands, ECOR, ERI, HP, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Oxnard Pallet Company, UNIFI, Up Cycle it Now, and The Super Bowl.
Published June 2019
Past Webinars & Presentations
July 22, 2020
Glass Recycling in Today’s Market
Scott DeFife, President, Glass Packaging Institute; President & Executive Board Member, Glass Recycling Foundation; Laura Hennemann, VP of Marketing & Communication; Secretary & Executive Board Member, Glass Recycling Foundation; and Ray DelMuro, Founder, Refresh Glass will discuss the state of the glass recycling market including collection, end markets, and post Corona trends and challenges.
This webinar is part of the Upcyclers Network Recovered Materials Market Development-Trends, Resources, Actions: During and Post Corona Rapid Debrief Series. This series will feature public and private sector experts giving 15 minute overviews of their topic with 15 minutes for audience Q&A.
July 8, 2020
Evolving Fiber Markets and Expanding Carton Recycling Access for Municipalities
Scott Byrne, Market Sustainability Manager US/Canada, Tetra Pak Inc. and Chaz Miller, Former Director of Policy at the National Waste and Recycling Association will review shifts in pulp and fiber markets and overall market outlook as well as the status of the Carton Council’s municipal collection program to further market demand for cartons in the US.
This webinar is part of the Upcyclers Network Recovered Materials Market Development-Trends, Resources, Actions: During and Post Corona Rapid Debrief Series. This series will feature public and private sector experts giving 15 minute overviews of their topic with 15 minutes for audience Q&A.
June 17, 2020
Upcycling Startups: Maintaining and Furthering Corporate Pilot Partnerships and Funding
John Felts, CEO and Co-Founder, Cruz Foam will discuss working with corporate pilot partnerships in furthering sustainable alternatives to single use plastics, learnings from his company’s fundraising journey, as well as future trends & challenges in the sustainable packaging space given recent developments including the Corona pandemic and the drop in oil prices.
This webinar is part of the Upcyclers Network Recovered Materials Market Development-Trends, Resources, Actions: During and Post Corona Rapid Debrief Series. This series will feature public and private sector experts giving 15 minute overviews of their topic with 15 minutes for audience Q&A.
June 2, 2020
Market Trends and Actions: Overview of Material Supply Chains and Learning’s from South Carolina Recycling Market Program Corona Response
Chantal Fryer, Senior Manager, Recycling Market Development at Department of Commerce will discuss challenges and learnings from regional manufacturers. Will Sagar, Executive Director with the Southeast Recycling Development Council will discuss paper, glass, & aluminum supply chains
This webinar is part of the Upcyclers Network Recovered Materials Market Development-Trends, Resources, Actions: During and Post Corona Rapid Debrief Series. This series will feature public and private sector experts giving 15 minute overviews of their topic with 15 minutes for audience Q&A.
May 13, 2020
Resources for Recovered Materials Manufacturers: Overview of California and National Landscape
Manuel Medrano, President, CA Recycling Market Development Zone; Environmental Services Manager, City of Chula Vista will review Cal Recycle, SWANA, CRRA, and Cal Economic Development resources available to manufacturers and recyclers.
This webinar is part of the Upcyclers Network Recovered Materials Market Development-Trends, Resources, Actions: During and Post Corona Rapid Debrief Series. This series will feature public and private sector experts giving 15 minute overviews of their topic with 15 minutes for audience Q&A.
November 20, 2019
Recycling and Resource Recovery as a Tool for Regional Economic Development
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries 2019 Economic Impact Study estimated that the United States scrap recycling sector contributes $110B to overall economic activity. However, this figure could be more than doubled if the full value of the U.S. recyclable waste stream was captured.
During this webinar we will hear from Steve Lautze, the past President of the CA Association of Recycling Market Development Zones, and Will Sagar, the Executive Director of the Southeast Recycling Development Council on the importance of framing resource recovery as an economic development strategy and what tools and policies are needed to best capture the full potential of the United States waste stream. Gina Lee, the Founder of the UPcyclers Network, will also discuss the mission and goals of the Upcyclers Network.
Organized in partnership with the U.S. EPA Sustainable Materials Web Academy.
October 17, 2019
The Public Sector: Building the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem around Resource Recovery
Leaders from Austin, Colorado, and Phoenix will share their experiences incubating and attracting start-ups to help them meet their regional diversion goals. This webinar will be of particular interest to Upcycler entrepreneurs who are seeking government partnerships and support as well as cities and states who are considering the creation of similar programs.
September 19, 2019
Apparel and Textiles: Designing for Re-Circulation
Christina Johnson, the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Upcycle It Now and Carmen Gama, Designer for Eileen Fisher RENEW will lead an interactive presentation and discussion on how designers can best design for end-of-life reuse, repair, and re-circulation. If your trying to extend the longevity of your products or materials in their next life, want to understand how to overcome internal hurdles to more sustainable purchasing and design, or would like to share best practices and challenges with others in your field, this webinar is for you! (We encourage the use of video for better face-to-face communication!)