Turn trash into a $2million business ?
Yes, that is what Tom Szaky of TerraCycle Inc does. Turning thrash using millions of worms into $2million business.
From this :
to this :
What a clever idea.
An article titled Black Gold on Good magazine :
Every day at TerraCycle’s factory, millions of worms chomp through beer brewery jetsam or peels from a potato-chip factory and then answer nature’s call. The “castings”—that’s the technical term—are packaged in a variety of reclaimed soda bottles (which TerraCycle buys from thousands of enterprising “Bottle Brigades” across the country). The motley mix of bottles helps TerraCycle stand out on the shelves of Home Depot and Wal-Mart. That, and the words “worm poop” in huge letters on the labels.
The Eco-capitalist.
All the pictures are courtesy of TerrCycle Inc.
Their story :
It all started in 2001 when two Princeton University students set out to change the way people do business. Inspired by a box of worms, these students had a dream: a company could be financially successful while being ecologically and socially responsible.
Co-founders Tom Szaky and Jon Beyer were determined to turn the worm box concept into a real-life, commercially viable process. That summer, they developed prototype equipment and proved their concept was feasible by reprocessing solid waste from dining halls at Princeton University.
[the] story is a reminder about following your dreams. The pot of gold may require dealing with a ton of crap.” — CBS Evening News
and please go check out their web and find out the products that they sell and I hope you are inspired by their story as much as I have.
actually things that are related to environment….that are env friendly, are kinda hot/popular now esp in developed countries.
but i doubt something like this can achieve great heights in Malaysia. we are still not very conscious about all these environment thingy.
Alvin,
Because we have marketing genius in US : “actually things that are related to environment….that are env friendly, are kinda hot/popular now esp in developed countries.”
I doubt if people are really environment conscious or green $ concern (our $ is green and not blue or red). It is all matter of marketing. If you can market well, Eskimos will buy ice from you.Even the most humble “tempe” from the poor Indonesia become an expensive item here cos of marketing guru’s idea of high protein.
Make a product that make people feel good, market in US and then bring it to Malaysia once you are successful in US, sure sell one.
Even ‘bad gas’ from Angmo place smell good in Malaysia. White superior pyschology, sigh.
i liked this post. it is close to home for me. though i will not spend money on worm poop personally, i will learn how to make my own. we currently have a worm farm in our garage that helps supply ‘fertilizer’ for my kitchen garden.
I agree. Marketing and creativity plays a very important role. He is really good! I think for Malaysian, this kind of environmental friendly products MUST be sold cheaper. If not, it is not going to make it.