www.closetheloop.com

Response to: How the US lost out on iphone work

2012-01-25T08:39:00.001-08:00

Dear Pennsylvania Legislators,

If you have not yet read the article in this past Sunday's NY Times titles "How the US lost out on iphone work" please do read it. One of the most incensing quotes from an Apple executive is "We don't have an obligation to solve America's problems. Our only obligation is making the best product possible". Yet they enjoy the benefits of American freedom, safety, education and other positive attributes. For me and most of the small manufacturers that I know, chasing the bottom line, in and of itself, is no way to go through life. There is a huge difference between net-worth and self-worth. We too are interested in making the best product possible. However, we are interested in building strong communites as well as strong businesses. Unlike Apple executives, we believe in giving back to the community and helping to build a strong America. We need your support in helping to create an economic environment that fosters the growth of local manufacturing in Pennsylvania. Thank you.

Best Regards,

Patrick Kelley
Waste Not Technologies, LLC
PO Box 848
2189 Kunkletown Road
Saylorsburg, PA 18353

My Business Story ~ Close the Loop, LLC

2011-11-10T06:05:00.000-08:00

Cambria Plastics Recycling / Close the Loop, LLC

2011-10-20T10:15:00.000-07:00

Cambria Plastics Recycling/Close the Loop, LLCPlastics Recycling Entrepreneurial Opportunities Lehigh Valley Section of the Society of Plastics Engineers~the MOVERS & SHAKERS in manufacturing new products from recycling plastics! (presented October 18th, 2011 at NCC)

View more presentations from Close the Loop, LLC

Cambria Plastics Recycling/Close the Loop, LLC - Presentation Transcript

CAMBRIA PLASTICS, LLC Solutions for Today. Progress For Tomorrow. 840 Horner Street Johnstown, PA 15902 www.PaWood.com Phone: 814-535-5467
Our current building in Johnstown is 15,000 sq. feet. We started in a 4,000 sq. ft. building in 2003.
What We Do:Manufacture Composite Wood Products From Recycled/CurbsidePlastics and Agriculture PlasticProcessing Of Industrial Plastic For Reuse In Manufacturing CycleTypes Of Plastic Processed: HDPE, PET, PP, ABS
Post consumed plastic from curbside recycling.
Local farmers bring plastic to us. Employees sort plastic to separate PET and HDPE.
Shredded HDPE
Local sawmills deliver sawdust to mix with plastic to make composite wood.
Our original method of mixing plastic, coloring agent, and sawdust.
Now mixing is done in a large fertilizer mixer.
Extruder in use
Crammer feed is used to push fluffy film plastic into extruder.
Pallet made from our composite wood.
Pallet being tested for strength.
Composite wood pallet custom made for Mack Trucks.
Strength Testing on Mack Truck Pallets
Strength Testing on Mack Truck Pallets
Retaining Wall Blocks
Garden Bench Made Using Retaining Wall Blocks and Capstone
Broken Toys from United Way
Rejected Coffee Beans Used as Filler
Used Candle Holders From Local Churches
Agriculture Plastic
Shredded Agriculture Plastic
Decking Products
Furniture Made From Grocery Bags
Parking Block
Pellets for Reuse and Sale
Round Posts Are Very Popular For Fencing
Agriculture Plastic With Contamination
Testing Plastic For Use As Fuel
Very Little Residue From Burning
THANK YOU

Refuting the Efficiency and Purpose of Recycling

2011-10-04T09:45:00.000-07:00

An interesting question came in today from Lauren, through Linked:

Thank you for the invitation to connect on LinkedIn. Close the Loop sounds like a fantastic business, and it sounds like you're involved in your community as well. Are you based primarily in PA? I am a strong proponent of recycling and cradle-to-cradle design. Often we come up against people who refute the efficiency and purpose of recycling. How do you respond when you're challenged about the importance of these methods?

Thanks again for reaching out,
~Lauren

==================

Hi Lauren ~ There are many difficulties with recycling: most of the plastic is exported to China, recycling is not mandated throughout our country, transportation costs and quality of material is always an issue. It is difficult to get people to look beyond the point of just recycling (which is an important step, behind reducing & reusing) to actually make something new out of it & buy recycled. My goal is to help the small US manufacturer who makes quality recycled products. The problem is the large manufacturers do not use a lot of recycled materials due to the quality and supply issues, along with cost to transport, clean, process, etc. My goal is to prove that recycling WORKS, and creates jobs and helps deal with huge waste issues in our country by using that raw material as a valuable resource to make new durable materials (fencing, pavers, tiles, rubber mulch, glass mulch, safety surfacing, etc).
Once people SEE these products, they are convinced also that it WORKS. The problem is in generating enough buzz & interest to get the DEMAND up, and manufacturing increased.
Close the Loop is based in Pennsylvania but we work with manufacturers throughout the US.
Rita

SBDC Honoring the Achievements of Women AWE: Close the Loop Founder, Rita Lacey Finalist

2011-09-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

Rita Lacey, the founder of Close the Loop, LLC is one of four finalists for the prestigious AWE from the Scranton SBDC to be awarded in October covering a 17 county area in all of NE PA.

The AWE Award:

Is given to one inspiring woman entrepreneur per year, with “Women of Merit” certificates given to an additional three finalists.
Is coordinated by The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center (SBDC), in partnership with the Lehigh University and Wilkes University SBDCs.
Was first given in 1996 and covers a 17-county area in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:Bradford, Bucks, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, or Wyoming.
Nominees must own and operate a business within the 17-county area, must be in business three years or more, and must be 51% woman-owned. Nominations for the award can be submitted by anyone, including the nominee herself.
AWE nominees are judged on the following categories:

Product/Service
Overcoming of Obstacles and Challenges
Community Involvement and Personal Accomplishments
Business Growth

QR Code for Close the Loop

2011-09-13T06:33:00.001-07:00

Here is our QR CODE for our website:

Here is our QR CODE for our online catalog:

How to Make a Blue Glass Mulch Pathway

2011-09-07T05:45:00.000-07:00

This project adds vibrant color and beauty to your walkway, and delights the eye with a new, unique, green landscaping solution. Be part of the new GLASSROOTS movement! Use 100% recycled glass mulch! Visit us in the Poconos or online at www.closetheloop.com

How to Landscape with Glass Mulch

2011-09-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

Recycled Glass mulch can be used in landscaping to add color, reduce yearly maintenance and help improve the beauty of your home and garden. Blue glass mulch looks like a stream running through your yard. The smokey gray glass from CRT tubes adds a unique and functional landscaping feature that doesn't absorb moisture, the water goes down to the roots of your plants where it is most needed. Color never fades on glass mulch, another outstanding benefit of using this new product! Visit us online at www.closetheloop.com

How to Turn a Septic Tank into a Wishing Well w/Blue Glass Mulch

2011-09-07T05:41:00.000-07:00

This project attempts to fix a very old and leaning wishing well to cover an unsightly septic tank with recycled glass mulch to resemble water in a wishing well. Visit us in the Poconos or online at www.closetheloop.com

SCAM ~ DumpsterManagement.com ~ Jeremy Feller (888) 927-8312 8889278312

2011-07-28T13:29:00.000-07:00

Dumpster Management, an internet company online at www.dumpstermanagement.com, owned by JTS DEVELOPMENT INC., owned by Jeremy Feller, AKA Jeremy Matthews SCAM'ed me! They took $5,500 of my money and hired a sub-contractor to supply & haul the dumpsters and never paid the sub-contractor. Now I have to pay the sub-contractor in addition to them. The credit card company would not refund the money because the sub-contractor did some of the work. It looks like I'm not the only one scammed by them...just look at their recent reviews on YP.com. I would not be surprised if their "raving reviews" were all made up by them.

The following is all public information for all those affected by DUMPSTER MANAGEMENT to hopefully get back all of your hard earned money from them.

Address listed as:

Feller, Jeremy M.

6237C Graycliff Dr.

Boca Raton, FL 33496

Also:

Jeremy Feller

900 Linton BLVD

STE 200

Delray Beach, FL 33444

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful ~ Litter Cleanups in Monroe County, PA

2011-04-04T06:21:00.000-07:00

Join Pennsylvanians across the state – and Americans across the nation – for the Great American Cleanup. You can participate in the 2011 Great American Cleanup of PA by cleaning up litter and trash along our roadsides, streams, beaches, parks, forests and neighborhoods. Additional events include holding recycling events for hard-to-dispose of items like tires and appliances, creating or enhancing green areas by planting plants, bulbs, and trees, removing or painting over graffiti that devalues your neighborhood, and other activities that help beautify your community.

There are currently 12 scheduled litter cleanups and recycling events throughout Monroe County, PA in April as part of the Great American Cleanup of PA. The following groups have organized events in Monroe County: Pride in Chestnuthill, No Junk in Tunk!, 8th Annual River Road Clean-Up, West End Regional Park Cleanup, Paradise Township, Close the Loop in Polk Township, Cub Scout Pack 98 in Chestnuthill Township, Waste Not Technologies - Milk Jugs and Kitty Litter Container Collection in Saylorsburg, Ross Township, Wal-Mart DC 6080 Adopt A Highway Cleanup and Tobyhanna Army Depot in Coolbaugh Township, Pocono Lions Club and Monroe County Dept. of Transportation in Tobyhanna Township.

To search for a location near you in Monroe County, visit:

http://www.gacofpa.org/greatpacleanup/GPCcalendarEvents.asp?County=Monroe

or call the Great American Cleanup of PA Hotline:

1-877-772-3673 ext. 113

website: www.gacofpa.org

Close the Loop GIVE and TAKE Day Scheduled for April 16th

2011-03-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Chestnuthill Township

In cooperation with Close the Loop, LLC

Invite you to a Free Give and Take Day

As part of the Township’s 41^st Anniversary Earth Day Activities, Close the Loop, LLC will be coordinating a give and take day on Saturday April 16^th at the Chestnuthill Township Park on Route 715 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Give and Take Days are a great way to reuse items that are too good to throw away but you just don’t have a use for them anymore – just bring along any reusable items between 11am and 1pm, then take away anything you want from 11am to 4pm – it’s free! (you don’t have to bring something to take something).

Example of what you can bring: furniture & household goods, pots/pans, books, CDs, DVDs, toys, bric-a-brac, bikes, plants, kitchenware, garden tools, furniture (must be in good shape to be accepted), quality clothes, etc.

Examples of things that will not be accepted: electronics, TV’s, computer monitors, tires, HHW, etc. Note: Township residents can take electronics to the Township Recycling Center at no charge.

You must provide your own vehicle for transporting items. There will be volunteers assisting and reviewing the items being dropped off.

For more information, or to volunteer please call (570) 629-8414.

Additional information can be found at www.closetheloop.com.

Comparison: Waste Tires to Plastics

2010-12-07T15:50:00.000-08:00

At the height of the waste tire problem in the US, back in 1990, there were 1 Billion waste tires. If you calculated the average weight of a tire at 25 lbs each, that would be 25 BILLION pounds of waste tires in the year 1990, and the number has been steadily decreasing.

With plastics, we are generating 60 BILLION pounds (30 million tons) of waste plastics every year and increasing! The recycling rate is only 7%, or roughly 2.1 million tons. I hope you will agree with me that this issue is extremely important at this time and we need to start today to change our direction regarding waste plastics. The pacific ocean gyre has been in the news the past few years, and is only now beginning to become common knowledge.

We can reduce plastic waste the same way waste tires have been reduced! Let's work together!

Be a part of the solution...contact www.closetheloop.com or call Close the Loop at 570.629.8414.

Close the Loop on Plastic Waste Issues

2010-11-16T09:52:00.000-08:00

The EPA studied all municipal solid waste generated and recovered through recycling for the years 1960 through 2008. Many interesting facts are presented here:

Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States Detailed Tables and Figures for 2008

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Resource Conservation and Recovery

November 2009

Read the study.

In regards to plastic waste, the following chart lists the types of plastic in the waste stream:

The chart for plastic generation vs. recovery is staggering, we need to get better at recovery/recycling. We cannot continue on this course without a correction/resolution:

There are many opportunities to recover more of this waste plastic. The US manufacturers need this raw material to make their products. There are many issues complicating the recovery issue, we need to address these issues on all levels. Close the Loop has proposed a "Waste Plastic Workgroup" to work on resolving these issues...read more.

Close the Loop is a small business who is making an impact on reducing waste plastics, along with tires & glass. For information on their products that include 100% recycled plastic post & rail fencing, rubber mulch, rubber landscape timbers, glass mulch and many unique recycled products, visit www.closetheloop.com.

Plastic Waste Issues ~ Laying all the cards on the table

2010-11-11T09:45:00.000-08:00

Here is a starting point for the proposed EPA Waste Plastics Workgroup. I believe we need to get all parties involved in solving this hugh problem of waste plastics.

Marine debris issues:

1) 6x more plastic than plankton in the Pacific Ocean Gyre

2) Sea life ingesting the plastic or plastic getting deposited on distant shores

3) So far, no one has looked at the affect on hormone disruption of the plastic particles in fish & birds.

4) Albatros ingests post consumer products (lighters, bottle caps, etc. ~ regurgitating in chicks, and the chicks then die).

5) Plastic pieces (nurdles) resemble krill & fish eggs, birds have higher PCB content in their tissues.

Human Issues:

1) Plastic is entering our food stream in the form of humans eating fish that have ingested plastics.

2) Consumer education and increased communication about returning & recycling plastics, including labeling and producer responsibility (take-back).

Recycling MRF (Material Recovery Facility) Issues:

The US is shipping more than half our recycled plastic #1 (PET) to CHINA and overseas.

Why aren't the MRF'S (material recovery facility) selling (yours & my) recycled plastic to US manufacturers?? The US manufacturers NEED & WANT this raw material, but cannot get their hands on it.

3) Need to better sort the plastics coming in to the facility.

4) Distributors/Brokers of the waste plastic need to work more transparently with MRF's & US manufacturers. Cost of raw material?

Making the recycling market more transparent and clear, so that companies like Electrolux & Waste Not Technologies are more easily able to access the plastic they need, preferably according to specific quality criteria

6) Develop better return systems.

7) Have more recycling on-site at landfills to sort, grind & re-sell the plastic raw material to the manufacturers.

Consumer Issues:

1) We need to get better at recycling, current rate is 7% of the 30 Million tons generated annually is recycled.

2) Promote Recyclebank in more areas, or give incentives for people to recycle.

3) Make it easier for people to recycle at home, work, sporting events, etc.

4) Increase the demand for recycled products in your homes, schools, businesses, etc.

Manufacturing Issues:

1) US manufacturers not getting enough raw material resources from the MRF's (material recovery facilities)

On land, stocks of recycled plastic are much too small to feed production of sustainable plastic products.The main barrier to using more recycled plastic in home appliances is the scarce and uncertain supply of recycled raw material.

3) Develop applications for using waste plastic in bulk, by grinding up many types of waste plastic, not having to go through the expense to clean raw material and use in plastic asphalt (being done successfully in India for example).

4) Most products are not designed with recycling / disassembling in mind.

5) Development of products increasingly based on recycled plastic

6) Encourage producer responsibility - take-back at the end of a product's lifecycle.

Biodegradable Plastics:

1) Made from biodegradable sources, not petroleum based, they are based on corn, soy, row crops ~ plastics that don't last forever.

2) Encourage manufacturers to switch to biodegradable plastics.

Architectural / Construction Issues:

1) Specify products made from recycled materials on jobs.

2) Be open to trying new product ideas, i.e. plastic fencing, plastic asphalt, other recycled building materials.

Government Issues:

1) Can we legislate against single use plastics? For producer responsibility?

Plastic Issues:

1) Plastic does not break down for hundreds or even thousands of years.

2) Many different types of plastics: Can we do away with all types but #1 & #2, the most commonly used types?

Table of resin codes

Recycling number	Unicode	Symbol	Abbreviation	Polymer name	Uses
1	U+2673	♳	PETE or PET	Polyethylene terephthalate	Polyester fibres, thermoformed sheet, strapping, and soft drink bottles (See also: Recycling of PET bottles)
2	U+2674	♴	HDPE	High density polyethylene	Bottles, grocery bags, milk jugs, recycling bins, agricultural pipe, base cups, car stops, playground equipment, and plastic lumber
3	U+2675	♵	PVC or V	Polyvinyl chloride	Pipe, fencing, and non-food bottles
4	U+2676	♶	LDPE	Low density polyethylene	Plastic bags, 6 pack rings, various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing, and various molded laboratory equipment
5	U+2677	♷	PP	Polypropylene	Auto parts, industrial fibers, food containers, and dishware
6	U+2678	♸	PS	Polystyrene	Desk accessories, cafeteria trays, plastic utensils, toys, video cassettes and cases, and insulation board and other expanded polystyrene products (e.g., Styrofoam)
7	U+2679	♹	OTHER or O	Other plastics, including acrylic,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene,fiberglass, nylon, polycarbonate, andpolylactic acid	Bottles, plastic lumber applications, Headlight lenses, and safety shields/glasses

Plastic Pollution and the Great Pacific Ocean Gyre Garbage Patch

2010-11-10T05:50:00.000-08:00

Saturday, November 6, 2010 I sat in on the majority of the talks on TEDx Great Pacific Garbage Patch. It was wonderfully organized with an engaging & highly educated list of speakers on the topic of plastic pollution. Videos from the talks will be posted on www.plasticpollutioncoalition.org. At the peak of the presentation, there were 400 +/- watch parties, an unfortunately small amount of listeners to this hugely important issue. The point they were stressing is to "REFUSE" single-use and disposable plastics, which is entirely a GOOD thing to do, along with the "reduce, reuse, recycle". Least of which was stressed to "recycle".

However, even a large part of main stream America refusing single-use plastics will not have a significant effect on solving the problem of plastic pollution until we start writing to the manufacturers that are using plastics in excess for packaging, and not using recycled plastics as their raw material for their main products, and improve recycling rates to more than 7% currently of the 30 million TONS we generate each year. We also need to grow the demand for US-made recycled products. Atwww.closetheloop.com there are multiple products made from 100% recycled plastics, tires & glass from small manufacturers across the USA.

If there is no demand for recycled products, the manufacturers will cease to make their products. People say they don't know where to buy these products, they're not at your local home depot or lowes, but they ARE online at websites that work with small family businesses who are NOT in the big box stores...visit www.closetheloop.com to purchase items or to get a list of manufacturers who are making products out of recycled content raw materials (160 manufacturers in PA today!).

Fencing made in Pennsylvania out of 100% recycled plastics available from Close the Loop:

"Look, it works!"

I spoke with Electrolux vacuum company about their "vac from the sea" - they've made five prototypes from waste plastic floating in each of the 5 ocean gyres. They manufactured these to educate consumers about the plastic pollution problem, GREAT! Now, why can't I purchase one??
From inhabitat: Although it would be grand if they could make hundreds of these vacuums for sale around the world, the collection and production time to make these recycled vacuums is prohibitively long. Electrolux does plan on auctioning off one of the vacuums and donating the money to research, and the other four vacuums will go on tour.
Electrolux stated:
Because on land, stocks of recycled plastic are much too small to feed production of sustainable plastic products.The main barrier to using more recycled plastic in home appliances is the scarce and uncertain supply of recycled raw material. “This issue is much too important to leave to politicians. Companies, consumers and politicians are equally accountable for the situation.”

From EPRO ~ Peter Sundt offering some solutions:
• Development of products to make them simpler and safer to recycle
• Development of better return systems, particularly with regard to recycling plastic in electric and electronic products (there are certain limitations in this area, but opportunities too)
• Communication with end customers and consumers about returning and recycling, including labelling, guidelines on return systems etc.
• Development of products increasingly based on recycled plastic
• Making the recycling market more transparent and clear, so that companies like Electrolux are more easily able to access the plastic they need, preferably according to specific quality criteria
• Development of plastic based on renewable natural resources which are also recyclable
• Joint promotion of the collection and recycling concept by means of tangible products made of recycled plastic: "Look, it works!"

The US is shipping more than half our recycled plastic #1 (PET) to CHINA and overseas. See thecomplete listing of where the plastic is going oniclosetheloop.blogspot.com. Shouldn't we be supporting our US manufacturers, growing green jobs, reducing waste & creating durable products?

We need to ask ourselves some tough questions:

1) Why aren't the MRF'S (material recovery facility) selling (yours & my) recycled plastic to US manufacturers?? The US manufacturers NEED & WANT this raw material, but cannot get their hands on it, why?

2) Why aren't we demanding products made in the US from recycled plastics and other waste materials? If not in the big box stores, check withClose the Loop and they'll search it out for you!

In the long run, we're all working for the same thing, to cleanup plastic pollution from our land and seas. We are used to conveniences and it's hard to change, but with the growing population and limited resources on our planet, we will have to start changing the way we live, work & play. Cradle to cradle technology is one key to a sustainable future, we need to remake the way we make things! (SeeCradle To Cradle by William McDonough & Michael Braungart)

The talks were concluded with 4 main challenges:
1) To everyone: REFUSE disposable plastics.
2) To manufacturers of virgin resin product, plastic packaging and plastic products: Take responsibility for your products, develop alternatives, and voluntarily cap non-biodegradable virgin resin product.
3) To policymakers and political leaders around the globe: Develop policies that curb the irresponsible use of plastic.
4) To plastic manufactures from the Ocean Nations: Come together and form a union against the onslaught of plastic to your environment, economic well-being and public health.

For more information, contact Rita Lacey at 570.629.8414 or visit: www.closetheloop.com

Lehigh Valley Zoo Closes the Recycling Loop

2010-08-31T06:52:00.000-07:00

written by: Mae Lacey

The Lehigh Valley Zoo is promoting green living among both children and adults of Northeastern Pennsylvania. They have done so by instituting a new exhibit at their zoo in Schnecksville, PA. They have invited Rita Lacey from her business Close the Loop, LLC to come and create a recycling exhibit. The exhibit consists of all recycled products that are available from Close The Loop in the Poconos. It features products such as glass mulch, glass sand, plastic fencing, tire swings, and much more.

Some people may not know quite what some of these products are. They may hear glass sand and wonder how that is safe, or how it is made. The same goes for glass mulch and plastic fencing. The bottles are crushed & tumbled making the products very safe for home or business use. There’s even a sandbox at the exhibit for children to play in (and it is filled with the glass sand!). There’s a walkway with glass mulch, a swing set with tire swings creatively shaped into animals, and a set of plastic fencing made locally in Saylorsburg, PA from 400 gallon sized milk jugs. A fire pit area is a gathering spot for educational talks with flames shooting out of the vibrant blue colored glass mulch. This exhibit is open for all to see now. The recycling exhibit will help to enforce the fact that we all need to take a bigger step towards a greener way of life.

You are welcome to go see this new exhibit at the Lehigh Valley Zoo any time. Not only will you get to see this exhibit when you visit, you will also see many animals such as camels, kangaroos, prairie dogs, emus, bison, elk, and many other animals. Just go take a look and you will have a great time! Also, feel free to visit Close the Loop and the Lehigh Valley Zoo’s websites located at the bottom of this article. We hope to see you there!

Close the Loop: www.closetheloop.com , Phone: 570.629.8414

Lehigh Valley Zoo: www.lvzoo.org , Phone: 610.799.4171

PA Made Recycled Products Presented to the State of PA

2010-06-16T16:00:00.000-07:00

Recycled Product manufacturers met with the PA state procurement officials to call attention to the ARRA (AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT OF 2009) jobs that are being funded in PA, but are NOT specifying recycled products.

Products such as plastic fencing/posts/decking, rubber tiles/pavers/curbing, rubber mulch, glass mulch, garden pots, binders, copy paper, reclaimed wood from historic buildings and more are available ~ made here in Pennsylvania and surrounding states.

The state is very good about purchasing recycled paper (albeit from Canada, not PA), CFL's, paints, and other sustainable products, but products made from very large waste issues (tires/plastics/glass) have not been on the radar of the State of PA. Close the Loop will be working with Penndot to try and update Bulletin 15 to specify these recycled products as acceptable alternative materials on Pennsylvania roadways.

According to the ARRA, projects should "maximize the use of...materials with recycled content". We need the state (or architects, contractors, engineers, PENNDOT & other DOT's) to specify these products. We're loosing small manufacturing businesses at an alarming rate! Many people mistakenly believe that if you are a manufacturer, you are financially stable, have million dollar businesses & hundreds of employees, but many of these guys (and gals) are hanging on by a thread with a handful of workers. We cannot lose these recycled product companies...please buy recycled ~ made in the USA! These truly green businesses cannot grow without demand for their products.

Investing in American made products creates jobs. Today there are about 160 PA recycled product manufacturers. Buying recycled sets a good example & helps our economy. There are many long-term economic and environmental benefits to buying recycled. What better raw material to use than our waste materials transformed into a valuable resource ~ in nature there is no waste. Plastic fencing, glass mulch and rubber mulch is more sustainable & lasts longer, and rubber is more shock-absorbing (all year round) than wood fiber, and is made in Pennsylvania.

Companies in attendance:

American Eagle Paper Mills

American Thermoplastic Company

Andela Tool & Machine

Close the Loop, LLC

LCL Industries

Liberty Tire Recycling

Mahantango Enterprises, Inc.

National Sales & Supply

Nursery Supplies Inc.

Pandya Inc., Green Products Division

Pennsylvania Recycling Markets Center

The Woods Company, Inc.

Waste Not Technologies

Zwicky Processing & Recycling

2010-06-09T16:50:00.001-07:00

This is interesting, of the 30 MILLION tons of plastic generated annually in the US, only about 4% are recycled plastic bottles (PET & HDPE), and less than half of the PET (#1) collected goes to US manufacturers of recycled products, the majority goes overseas to China and other countries. All other recycled plastics (about 3% of the plastic waste stream) are non HDPE or PET bottles.

Manufacturing jobs have dropped to their lowest level since 1941, below 9% of workforce for the first time...see chart below:

To support and grow US manufacturing of recycled products, please visit:www.closetheloop.com

Source for graph, Dr. Mark J. Perry: http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2009/08/manufacturing-employment-drops-to.html

Close the Loop's Give & Take Recycling & Reuse Event for Earth Day's 40th Anniversary in the Pocono's

2010-04-06T05:53:00.000-07:00

Chestnuthill Township
In cooperation with Close the Loop, LLC
Invite you to a Free Give and Take Day

As part of the Township’s 40th Anniversary Earth Day Activities, Close the Loop, LLC will be coordinating a give and take day on Saturday April 24th at the Chestnuthill Township Park on Route 715 from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Give and Take Days are a great way to reuse items that are too good to throw away but you just don’t have a use for them anymore – just bring along any reusable items between 11am and 1pm, then take away anything you want from 11am to 4pm – it’s free! (you don’t have to bring something to take something)

Example of what you can bring: Books, CDs, DVDs, toys, bric-a-brac, bikes, plants, kitchenware, garden tools, furniture (must be in good shape to be accepted), good quality clothes, etc.

Examples of things that will not be accepted: electronics, TV’s, computer monitors, tires, etc. Note: Township residents can take electronics to the Township Recycling Center at no charge.

You must provide your own vehicle for transporting items. There will be volunteers assisting and reviewing the items being dropped off.

For more information, visit http://www.closetheloop.com/

Plastic Fencing, Close the Loop ~ Made in the USA

2010-03-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

Waste plastics come in many variations, and do not all melt together to form a new product easily. This plastic fencing is made by a high-tech process designed to make the plastic posts and rails look like they were cut from actual redwood trees. It takes about 300 milk jugs to produce one 8' section of post & rail fencing. For more info on Close the Loop's fencing, visit: http://www.closetheloop.com/products/plasticfencing.html

Free E-Book for Entrepreneurs ~ Building a Business Website

2009-12-04T06:45:00.001-08:00

"Close the Loop, LLC", a small internet business was founded 10 years ago to help US manufacturers build the market for high quality recycled products from our waste materials (tires, plastics & glass, etc) at no cost to the manufacturer. We believe we need to get back to manufacturing in the USA, and support these manufacturers by purchasing and using their products. Our focus in writing this book is to have entrepreneurs help the manufacturers in the US to sell their products in all corners of the world ~ Manufacturing jobs have dropped to their lowest level since 1941, below 9% of workforce for the first time. They need our help to expand.

We've written a free E-book to help new entrepreneurs, and want to inspire people to get started building their own small businesses since neither small nor large businesses are hiring much right now.

For a free download, visit: http://www.closetheloop.com/freeebook.html

Source for graph: http://mjperry.blogspot.com/2009/08/manufacturing-employment-drops-to.html

Recycled Steel from WTC in bow of USS New York

2009-10-17T09:05:00.000-07:00

7.5 tons of Recycled Steel from World Trade Center in bow of USS NEW YORK – to be commissioned to the US NAVY Nov. 7, 2009 –
The Commissioning of USS New York will take place on November 7th, 2009 at the Intrepid Museum at 46th St & 12th Ave, New York City, New York, USA. Finally, some of what we lost returns USS New York, LPD-21, will parade into New York Harbor on Monday, November 2nd of 2009 for what will undoubtedly be the Commissioning event of the century. No other ship in world history carries the sentiment and import this ship possesses. In her bow is 7.5 tons of World Trade Center Steel.
If you are planning a trip to NY, you will be able to tour the ship during that week, read more. “Strength forged through sacrifice. Never Forget” is the motto of PCU New York. Watch it sail down the Mississippi River & just clear a bridge by 64 centimeters! View video.

160 PA Small Businesses Turn Waste into New Products

2009-09-29T17:34:00.000-07:00

A lot of us recycle, and that’s good, but we can’t stop there!
To truly "close the loop", we need to:

1) recycle our waste
2) make something new out of it
3) buy recycled.

Today, there are 160 small businesses in PA manufacturing, marketing & distributing new products from our waste materials. You won’t find many of these items at the big box stores!

Buy local,
buy recycled,
live simply,
as Ghandi said, “Be the change you wish to see in this world!”

New Product from Close the Loop

2009-09-29T13:05:00.001-07:00

New product ~ 100% recycled plastic wood raised garden beds & composters.
Visit http://www.closetheloop.com/ 10% Fall Fencing Sale going on right now, thanks!