materials exchange

If you’ve received a Saul Good gift box recently, you’ve probably noticed that there's some unique shredded paper inside. Well it’s more than just pretty confetti, it’s an example of sustainability in action!

Is sustainable business possible or just a load of garbage? TerraCycle is proving that it is not only possible but a competitive way to create value in lots of places. With a robust business model that pays organizations for their waste and turns organic waste into natural fertilizer products TerraCycle has a win win.

A robust and simple business model

1) get paid to collect organic waste from restaurants, food manufacturers, produce distributors, etc

2) pay organizations for their plastic beverage bottles

3) clean the bottles and take off the labels

4) fill the bottles with 'compost tea', a liquid nutrient from the composting of organic waste

5) put a new label on to the reused plastic bottle

TerraCycle has been extremely successful for their innovation in this space, a working example of how industrial ecology can be applied into robust business models, using waste from other companies as inputs into the products being manufactured. In this case they've not only integrated the use of organic waste from various commercial and industrial activities but also the reuse of plastic bottles and packaging from consumers. TerraCycle pays organizations for their bottles, great for school fundraisers teaching children a creative and essential way to look at business.

Getting Started

Over the past few weeks I've been chugging along as Saul Good's second employee and learning the quirks and charms of working in a sustainable corporate gift business. With a long and diverse list of projects, I've had to learn a lot on the fly, but I've found the challenge of doing something totally new nearly as rewarding as getting it done right.

Operational Systems

In many ways, being in a business of two means that the work is more streamlined and transparent. But moving from one to two employees is a dramatic change from an operational standpoint. I’ve been working to phase in some changes in the filing and production processes that will begin to move operations out of Saul’s head and into a flexible and easily accessible system. While we’re happy with the changes we’ve made, there’s been a certain element of trial and error in our development, so I’d happily take some advice!

Materials Exchange Initiative

One of the projects I’ve been working on outside of our operational overhaul is revisiting Saul Good’s gift box filler. We’ve been searching for a way to repurpose business waste into an attractive and easily managed asset. Drawing utility out of material that is ordinarily thrown away is a satisfying and challenging creative exercise. We’ve experimented with leftover plastic film, discarded office paper, wood shavings, and shredded phonebooks. We’re still looking for a material and process that’s the perfect fit of usefulness and ease. Luckily, there are plenty of neighbourhood businesses in the Strathcona Business Improvement Association that are ready and willing to partner with us on this project. We hope to have a sustainable and attractive solution soon!

Upcoming Changes

Meanwhile, Saul is working with local organic suppliers to create some exciting new gifts for the upcoming holiday season! Look for changes to our line of Organic Office Party Gifts and an entirely new line of gifts to celebrate weddings and other milestone achievements. Also, keep your eye on our website for some cool new featured products. Saul Good is always working (now with twice the manpower) to make giving better and better!