Interview to Camilo Ferro, Founder of Renew Packaging
- Tell us the story behind Renew Packaging
Renew Packaging has been in the development for 6 years. I came up with the concept right at the turn of the economy in 2009 when I had to close down a shipping company I owned. At the time San Francisco had already banned plastic bags and compostable bags were still a novelty item. With global awareness of food waste and the importance of diverting waste from landfill, composting has seen a huge growth in the last 5 years. Renew Bags are meant to educate and help the composting process. All products are manufactured from vegetable and food starches making every product a certified compostable.
2. What is the mission of your Company and how do you think this mission will not only help our environment, but will also help the economy?
Our mission is to create innovative products that compliment waste diversion strategies while not sacrificing the quality of disposables to our end consumers.
Our products help the environment as they are not made from non-renewable resources and are meant to decompose. Our products will decompose in a composting facility usually within 8 weeks. Whereas petroleum based disposables never decompose and rarely get recycled.
There is a huge growing demand for more environmental protection and resource conservation, our products solve both of these concerns. Today Bioplastics account for less than 1% of the total global plastic usage which leaves significant room for growth in all industries. Its economic growth for an industry which will provide sustainable jobs and help create proper waste diversion infrastructure.
3. What is your opinion in regards to the decision the Governor of Puerto Rico took a few days ago regarding plastic bags? Do you think that during an economic crisis this is a good idea to obligate companies to restructure themselves according to the new laws established?
This is fantastic news for the Island of Puerto Rico. With a combination of strong education platforms and progressive waste strategies the island can continue to innovate and work towards a sustainable future. Like in all industries we have to be open for innovation and the creation of different products. The current legislation does gives companies plenty of time to adjust their current bag inventory before the ban is implemented in Mid 2016. The governor has also done it the right way by making partial bans and large stores being affected first.
4. Do you think Puerto Rico can benefit from composting? How would you introduce composting in Puerto Rico?
With the growth of population and developing economies, Waste Management is a concern for every major municipality. Puerto Rico is no different and could be more difficult given insufficient disposal, inefficient recycling and composting and vulnerability to extreme weather conditions.
Composting consists of an aerobic process in which microorganism degrade the organic material. Common outputs include water, minerals, and CO2. In addition, the composting process makes for nutrient rich soil amendment which can be used for horticulture and/or agriculture. In Puerto Rico approximately 34% of the waste is organic which can and should be composted.
There are several ways to implement composting in Puerto Rico. I would start with the universities and work within tourism and hospitality industry. The initial Infrastructure needed is cost effective and fully sustainable. We can work within current waste hauling operations or implement new routes using bikes or small sprinter fans- creating less fuel emissions. There can be local transfer stations which start the Aerated process and then transferred to a larger windrow facility.
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Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/renewpackaging/photos_stream
Contact info: cferro@renewbag.com/ 708-965-3862
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