Being like Bigfoot - Trying To Lessen Our Impact

Where is Bigfoot anyway? We aren’t suggesting that Bigfoot does not exist. We just don’t find a lot of evidence that he does. Maybe like Mitch Hedberg said, “bigfoot is blurry”.  Regardless, Bigfoot would seem to live in harmony with his environment and maybe ironically, leave only a small “footprint”.  Here at Interrobang we are trying to be like Bigfoot and keep our own footprint as small as possible. Here’s a peek at how we’re making a difference with powder-coated aluminum and recycled UHMW, the two main components of our Rivian Tonneau Cover and upcoming Gear Tunnel Tray - as well as repurposing packaging materials and recycling initiatives

Eco-Friendly Materials: Powder Coated Aluminum and Recycled UHMW 

Powder-Coated Aluminum: Why It’s a Great Choice

1. Less Waste
Powder coating is a dry process that doesn’t use solvents, so there’s way less waste than with liquid coatings. Any extra powder can often be reused, which helps keep things cleaner.

2. Fewer Emissions
Powder coatings don’t have solvents, so they release fewer volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are bad for the air and for people’s health, so cutting them down is a big win.

3. Built to Last
Powder-coated aluminum is super durable. It stands up to corrosion, UV rays, and general wear and tear. This means things last longer and need replacing less often, which cuts down on waste.

4. Recyclable
Both the aluminum and the powder coating can be recycled. Aluminum is super recyclable and recycling it uses way less energy than making new stuff. The powder coating doesn’t mess with the recycling, so it’s a win-win.  Any of the trim or scrap pieces we generate are saved and recycled. 

5. Energy Efficient
Powder coating usually uses less energy compared to other finishing methods. Even though curing ovens need some energy, it’s lower overall, especially when you think about how long the products last.

Recycled UHMW: A Smart Choice

1. Saves Resources
Recycling UHMW, a type of high-performance plastic, helps save raw materials. It cuts down the need for new polymers, which means less demand for fossil fuels and other resources.

2. Reduces Waste
UHMW is really durable and can stick around for a long time if not managed properly. Recycling it helps keep it out of landfills and reduces its environmental impact.

3. Saves Energy
Recycling UHMW usually uses less energy than making new UHMW from scratch. This energy saving helps cut greenhouse gas emissions and makes a difference for the environment.

4. Keeps the Performance
Recycled UHMW still has many of the great properties of new UHMW, like being tough and having low friction. This means it works well in many applications, reducing the need for fresh materials.

5. Supports a Circular Economy
Using recycled UHMW fits right in with the circular economy idea, where materials are reused and recycled rather than thrown away. This helps create a more sustainable materials cycle.

6. Cost-Effective
Recycled materials are often cheaper than new ones, making products made from recycled UHMW more affordable and practical.

Reusing Packaging: Our Approach

1. Collect and Sort
When we get shipments, we gather all the packaging materials—paper and cardboard included. We sort them to make sure they’re clean and usable.

2. Inspect and Prep
Next, we check the materials for any damage. Only the good stuff gets reused; anything that’s not up to snuff is recycled or disposed of properly.

3. Repurpose for Our Products
The good materials are used to package our own products. This helps us cut down on new packaging and keeps costs down, all while being kinder to the environment.

4. Keep Improving
We’re always looking for ways to make our reuse process better and more efficient. Tracking what we repurpose helps us get the most out of our efforts.

5. Environmental Impact
Reusing packaging helps us cut waste, save resources, and lower our carbon footprint. It’s all about keeping materials out of landfills, reducing the need for new resources, and cutting emissions.

Recycling the Rest:

1.  Less for the Landfill

Anything that we can't reuse or repurpose we sort and recycle.  This includes aluminum, cardboard, plastic scrap and film and even the wood pallets that many of our components arrive on.  Is it an extra step? Yes.  But we think it's worth it.

Looking Ahead

Our commitment to using sustainable materials and reusing packaging is just one part of our bigger plan to stay green. We’re excited about the progress we’ve made and look forward to finding new ways to reduce waste and help the environment.

*Featured image from www.freepik.com