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MassDEP Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

Virtual Reuse: “The challenges and opportunities of online materials exchanges”. GRRN National Recycling & Zero Waste Conference October 20, 2009 Devens, MA. MassDEP Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. Mission / Vision.

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MassDEP Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

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  1. Virtual Reuse: “The challenges and opportunities of online materials exchanges” GRRN National Recycling & Zero Waste Conference October 20, 2009 Devens, MA MassDEP Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

  2. Mission / Vision • The Mass Material Trader (MMT), a FREE online materials reuse network, assists businesses/organizations in *Massachusetts by helping them find, sell, trade, or give away useful used or surplus materials that would otherwise be disposed of. • To become the primary online Reuse resource in the Commonwealth & support MassDEP’s Reuse goals. *And surrounding New England States

  3. Reuse Online History • Early 90’s MassDEP helped to fund the Center for Ecological Technology’s (CET), online materials exchange • Before it’s time: pre Freecycle, Craig’s list, Ebay etc. • Resources needed to get the exchange off the ground were lacking (monetary and people) • Reached about 250 member companies • Materials Management & Reuse continues to be a key strategy for the Bureau of Waste Prevention

  4. Reuse Online History • December 2008, the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) & EPA grant creating a national online Reuse Marketplace search engine. • iwastenot systems awarded bid • NERC/EPA grant funded Mass Material Trader • Launched site in July/August 2009

  5. Service Overview & Benefits • Subscribers can post listings of items and materials they wish to dispose of or browse for those currently available in their area. • Each listing contains a description of the material or item, contact information, and in some cases cost and delivery information. • The actual exchange transactions are carried out directly between the interested parties.

  6. Member Profile

  7. Member Directories

  8. Recyclopedia

  9. Categories

  10. Event Listings

  11. Helpful Links

  12. Marketing • Marketing & Advertising: zero cost marketing strategies - word of mouth, newsletters, web links, emails, events, phone calls, etc. • marketing needs to match the intended target market • focus on partnership opportunities • Information packets need to be created for distribution to business/Nonprofits • Audiences both large and small • Business / Manufacturing • Non Profit / NGO’s • Schools / Educational Institutions • Government / Municipalities & State

  13. Challenges • Marketing is the biggest challenge overall and will ultimately determine MMT’s success • Growth of MMT can be likened to chicken & egg – which comes first? • MMT needs new members to ensure a fresh up-to-date supply of materials (wanted/available) • MMT needs up-to-date supply of materials (wanted/available) to entice new members to join and to tempt existing members to return and search for up-to-date materials

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