Making Cool Products from Industrial Waste

It’s pretty hard to miss advertising billboards, but what happens once they’re taken down? Unfortunately most wind up in landfill.

But for Australian Scott Kilmartin, it’s another industry’s trash that becomes his company’s treasure. Scott’s company “Haul,” creates urban streetware products from otherwise wasted materials.

The advertising billboards for instance, are turned into their popular Macbook computer sleeves.

[Scott Kilmartin, Manager, Haul Products]:
“Depending on what was printed on the original billboard, none are ever the same, you’re absolutely getting a one off unique product.”

[Scott Kilmartin, Manager, Haul Products]:
“Last year there was somewhere in the 800 to 1,000 tons of material went into landfill in Australia, and we at this point of time, or last financial year, kept 35 ton of that.”

The resourcefulness doesn’t stop at billboards. Car license plates become one of a kind photo albums and CD cases, vehicle inner tubes become messenger bags and backpacks, just to name a few.

[Scott Kilmartin, Manager, Haul Products]:
“The goal in starting the business was to produce products that have a soul to them, that are sustainable, and also end up with a business that had a social conscience to it as well.”

And in recognition of that innovative approach, the company was awarded the City of Melbourne Business Awards, Overall Business of the Year for 2008.

As for the popularity of the products, the recycling factor isn’t the prime reason.

[Scott Kilmartin, Manager, Haul Products]:
“We get a lot of musicians that buy our stuff, they’re looking for something a little bit left of main stream. It’s got a little bit of uniqueness about it, and I guess for us, the story behind the product is a really big selling point, it’s the ‘where it came from’ that lots of that crowd are really interested in.”

Robert Apicella, NTD, Melbourne.