| Source Newsletter 2009 issue 2 |
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Materials Exchange
What is Materials Exchange?
The Materials Exchange is a free service that links organizations that have reusable goods they no longer need to those who can use them. This business reuse network helps prevent usable materials from becoming waste and saves users money.
Successful Exchanges
MnTAP was contacted by the City of Bemidji Wastewater Treatment Facility with unused sodium hydroxide that was no longer needed. The chemical had been supplied as original equipment in 1985 when the plant started up, was never used, and was stored in the bulk tank. Approximately 1,900 gallons was available for another company to use.
MnTAP listed the chemical on the Materials Exchange Web site. In addition, MnTAP contacted metal platers, paper mills, and other companies that use sodium hydroxide as part of their manufacturing operation to see if they would be interested in the chemical. Keystone Automotive, a metal plater in Brainerd, accepted the material. As an additional benefit to the City of Bemidji, Keystone even went to Bemidji with totes and pumping equipment to collect the sodium hydroxide.
Additional successes include:
- A small commercial facility in Southern Minnesota donated 400 pallets to a medium-sized manufacturing facility in the metro area, saving approximately $400 in disposal costs. This exchange resulted in 12,000 lbs of usable material being diverted from the landfill.
- A small commercial organization in Stearns County received 58 pairs of baseball pants from a Hennepin County company avoiding approximately $400 in purchase costs.
- A Minneapolis-based management company called the Materials Exchange office needing to exchange a large office copier same day. After contacting several non-profit organizations, the copier found a home in Ramsey County and 400 lbs of material was diverted from the landfill.
Current Listings can be foun at www.mnexchange.org
Got an Exchange?
Please tell us about your success. We track successes to promote the Minnesota Materials Exchange program to others and to highlight the value of the program. Visit the Web site <www.mnexchange.org> or call 612.624.1300 to report your success.
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Materials Exchange
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