Ran across another British firm rethinking industrial waste streams as supply streams.  Eako is upcycling.  They are taking condemned fire-hose and waste coffee sacks and creating belts (marrying them with reclaimed pewter), placemats, bags (lined with decommissioned office furniture textiles or scrap sail cloth), purses (made from hoses and optical bags), and wallets.

Turning

Into

Their rethinking/repurposing/reusing philosophy permeates their business from their business card holders to packaging.  They are reusing/repurposing Air Traffic Control flight check strips for their labels.  All of their packaging is reclaimed or recycled: old shoe boxes, glasses boxes or even pink lady grapefruit crates, used Jiffy bags, and stuffed newspaper (always a great packing material IMHO).

Their CSR is real and they recognize the interconnectedness between their supply chain, their community, and their customers.  They give back to the original users of the material (fire-hoses) -  50% of their profits go back to the Fire Fighters Charity.

“We give 50% of Fire Hose profits to the Fire Brigade, which builds community spirit, secures our supply chain, and creates a story that appeals to customers. We’re also exposing the insane margins in the luxury industry – giving away half the profits isn’t remotely a stretch (and our prices aren’t as high as many brands).” ~ from Miranda Newsom’s Eco-preneurs: making money and going green article on EaKo

Kresse Welling, co-founder of Eako, has a history of rethinking waste streams developing ethical and environmental products, from creating packaging alternatives to launching 100 per cent biodegradable disposable nappies.  She has won several social entrepreneur awards.

Eako’s tagline tells it all – “Reclamation Innovation Donation”

Hear an interview with Kresse Welling – my new social/eco entrepreneur hero.  Read more about Eako in an article at Green Goods or at their website http://www.fire-hose.co.uk

What opportunity are you missing out on from your company’s own waste stream?

This article is part of the Rethinking Waste series at Opportunity Sustainability

Copyright ©2009 Matthew Rochte, Opportunity Sustainability℠- Share with attribution
Opportunity Sustainability℠ is a Midwest-based sustainability and corporate responsibility consulting firm specializing in green innovation and seeing opportunities where others see burdens. Matthew Rochte, an experienced, operations-based sustainability consultant, works with company management to navigate and realize the opportunities in taking their company green and growing sustainably.