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EVER GREEN ENVIRONMENTAL “Innovation – A Matter of Mind”. Current Projects. Bottle Label Removal Machine, Wine Bottles Management Information System, Recycling Card. N.L. Reality for Recycling. Population Distribution Distance to Established Markets Limited Volumes of Material
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Current Projects • Bottle Label Removal Machine, Wine Bottles • Management Information System, Recycling Card
N.L. Reality for Recycling • Population Distribution • Distance to Established Markets • Limited Volumes of Material • Environmentalism (Social Movement/ Government’s Commitment)
Clear Vision of Industry is Key to Success • Our Province has the opportunity to structure our Waste Management Program to meet N.L.’s unique needs
Choice • Local industry/ local recycling • value adding, GHG reduction, cost predictability and sustainability, creates innovation, aligns with sustainable development strategies • Transshipment Program • most material is shipped out of NL
Identifying the Opportunity • Over 2.5 million wine and liquor bottles imported into N.L. • One-time use, crushed and sent to N.B. • Increased transportation costs have increased costs of bottles • Local wine industry ready to change to recycled bottles • Green Depots have a significant supply of wine bottles • Preliminary research indicated that there was no industrial level process established for the reuse of wine bottles
Identifying the Opportunity To develop an industrial-level process to support the sanitization, de-labeling, recycling and reuse of glass beverage containers.
Understanding the Opportunity • Federal / Provincial R&D and Business Support programs • Industrial Development programs at Memorial University and College of the North Atlantic
Understanding the Opportunity • National Research Council • Matchmaker with CONA’s Industrial Engineering Program • Cost shared with EGE, two small research projects • Supported EGE’s research of the marketplace on this initiative
Understanding the Opportunity • MMSB • Provided information aiding EGE’s understanding of the volume of wine bottles available in the Green Depot Network • Receptive to recycling (reuse) wine bottles in this manner
Understanding the Opportunity • CONA’s research indicated that an enhanced engineering capability was required • NRC performed matchmaking role with Memorial and funded 3rd research study • Memorial University, Facility of Engineering & Applied Sciences, Industry Outreach Group • Report provided a solution for industrial level label removal process and a conceptual machine design
Development of Machine Prototype • EGE received investment required for Memorial to develop the prototype • ACOA, Business Development Program • MMSB, Waste Management Trust Fund under the Solid Waste Management Innovation Program • MMSB approval that wine bottles captured through the Green Depot network can be reused in this manner
Green Depots Management Information System Recycling Card (Software Development)
Shift In Mindset • Viewed Beverage container recycling as a retail experience rather than an industrial process • Customer was at the centre of our business model (not the beverage container)
Identified Need • To manage the collection/accounting of 37 million containers, payment to customer of deposit refunds ($2 million annually) through $5-$10 transactions (estimated @1,000 transactions per day) • Opportunity to reduce or eliminate customer wait times • Increase processing efficiency by reducing container counts (Based on 37 million containers reduction of 148,000,000 counts) • Opportunity to improve customer service by improving management of accounts, enhanced marketing opportunities and increased customer confidence in the system
Product • A fully integrated information technology and materials management system that provides a systematic process for sorters at recycling depots. • EGE’s management system will provide a fully integrated process from sorting to point of sale, through inventory and into the accounting records. • The ‘next generation’ feature is the “Recycling Card” which provides depot customers with access through a Web-based user interface, enabling them to access their account information and update their accounts via the Web.
Investment • No Government Investment • EGE financed • One of a kind system, patent pending • Next stage is commercialization
Conclusions • Lengthy time period for R&D projects to reach this stage (Both projects in their 5th year) • Limited but accessible financing for R&D projects can have a significant impact • Adding value to the recycled commodity at the local level can sustain a recycling program through the downturns in the commodity market • Opportunities to export products and services