MARCH 9 – 12, 2020
See us at MODEX 2020, EXHIBITION AND SEMINARS, Booth 6392
Mid America Paper Recycling will exhibit at Modex 2020, March 9-12, at the Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta. The show/conference features advancements in supply chain solutions, materials handling equipment and technology and logistics and smart systems. Hosted by The Material Handling Industry of America. modexshow.com
MARCH 15-18
See Mid America Paper Recycling at the 2020 SERC 2020, SOUTHEAST RECYCLING CONFERENCE & TRADE SHOW Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Miramar Beach (Destin), Fla. Trade Show: March 15-17; Conference: March 15-18. The 33rd show from organizer Southern Waste Information Exchange provides the recycling industry with solutions, valuable contacts and productive networking opportunities. southernwasteinformationexchange.com
FEBRUARY 19 – 21, 2020
Mid America Paper Recycling to attend the CONTRACT PACKAGING ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING, El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort, Tucson, Ariz. Featuring exhibitions, panel discussions, networking events and presentations, with automation and e-commerce tracks in the afternoon. contractpackaging.org
Chicago — September 30, 2019 — First time exhibitor Mid America Paper Recycling (booth 221) plans to showcase the benefits of an industry-first waste audit report and explain recycling best practices at the TAPPI CorrExpo, October 14-16 at the Denver Convention Center.
One of the largest independent brokers, processors and exporters of recovered paper in the Central United States, Chicago-based MAPR has deep roots in the printing industry dating back to when it was founded in 1926. As large commercial printers and paperboard converters search for new methods to improve their revenue sources, MAPR’s experience in the recycling process can likely help them.
“I felt our decision to exhibit at TAPPI CorrExpo for the first time this year was a natural. We have been working with paper industry and corrugated users for years,” said Paul Pirkle, who joined Mid America Paper Recycling as president last year.
“This year we have shifted the focus to educating our customers about the hidden benefits of their waste. We plan to do the same with those who visit our booth and explain the tremendous value there is in having a continuous improvement plan in place. Our staff will explain how it works and why it is a key component for all types of companies, from small businesses to the Fortune 500.”
Pirkle recently attended AICC, The Independent Packaging Association’s annual meeting in Toronto, September 16-18. He said the leadership conference opened the door to some worthwhile discussions.
“We are relatively new members of AICC and I found it to be a great venue for networking. Some of the conversations allowed me the opportunity to talk about our new Audit Process,” said Pirkle. “It gave me the chance to explain the steps involved and how they can grow the worth of the waste that is produced. The overall continuous improvement process that encompasses waste generation, in-plant processes, safety, and logistics are all researched so that our customers can recognize more revenue per ton. I’m expecting to have good conversations in Denver as well.”
Since the manufacturing operations of paper or containerboard facilities often create tons of waste annually – ranging from pre-consumer, high-grade recyclable paper to production trim and paperboard – Mid America’s Audit Process can help companies realize significant revenues. Pirkle believes the timing is right to begin a dialogue now.
“Many corrugators understand that the economics of waste streams are cyclical. So it is vital to establish a program with process steps that encompass waste generation, collection procedures, and setting goals and objectives to improve revenue contributions,” said Pirkle.
“At corrugated and converting plants, we usually find ways to improve an inadequate process and/or non-compliance from their employees. Even though best practices have not been widely shared in our industry, our Audit Process is a huge step in the right direction. Combined with the expertise of our staff, we have all the tools in place to help. That’s the message we want to hit home at TAPPI CorrExpo. Most people don’t realize their waste is worth more than they think it is.”
For those interested in filling out the free Waste Audit Survey, it takes only 10 minutes to complete online. Or learn more by stopping by booth 221 at TAPPI CorrExpo and talking to MAPR representatives who can answer all of your questions.
ABOUT MID AMERICA PAPER RECYCLING
Founded in 1926, Mid America Paper Recycling is a fourth-generation leader in the recycling industry and provides solutions for partners ranging from small businesses to large multinational corporations. Its robust program features a new benchmarking audit, consultation services, documentation, quantification and presentation of the specific and overall values that can be realized from customer waste streams. To learn more about the free waste audit and Mid America’s other environmental initiatives, call 773-890-5454 or visit www.midamericapaper.com.
Chicago — September 19, 2019 — Mid America Paper Recycling (MAPR), one of the largest independent brokers, processors and exporters of recovered paper in the Central United States, is launching a first-of-its-kind initiative focused on tracking and increasing the value of the recycling waste streams generated by large commercial printers and paperboard converters.
“The folding carton industry, for example, shipped about five million tons of product last year,” explained Paul Pirkle, president of Mid America Paper Recycling. “We work closely with these operators and all companies that recycle waste paper to create a continuous improvement process that helps them identify where waste is generated, establish key collection procedures, and set objectives that will continually improve their waste stream’s revenue contribution to the business.”
According to Mid America executives, the manufacturing operations of a typical paper or containerboard plant can generate thousands of tons of pre-consumer, high-grade recyclable paper, production trim waste and paperboard waste annually, which in turn, can generate significant revenues for the company.
Mid America’s innovative recycling management program helps producers build a scorecard process by benchmarking, monitoring and continuously upgrading their recycling operations to help them reach their sustainability goals and grow the financial worth of their waste. In the transactional, spot-market oriented business of paper recycling, MAPR’s continuous improvement initiative is a first of its kind.
“No other company has offered as comprehensive and value-added a solution until now,” adds Pirkle. “We understand the challenges and shortcomings companies face in dealing with recycling vendors, equipment, labor and transportation issues. Recyclable materials can be wasted, which doesn’t meet anyone’s environmental goals or boost revenue. But they can also be a significant value-added contributor to the recycler’s profitability if professionally managed. We perform onsite customer assessments and reviews to help them learn how to effectively manage these materials and help them exceed their expectations.”
The Industry’s First Online Waste Audit Survey
The first step in the continuous improvement process is MAPR’s new, free Waste Audit Survey, which takes only 10 minutes for customers to fill out online but is comprehensive in scope. It’s so easy to use, customers can launch it on their smartphones via a QR code and take the survey immediately.
Serving as an initial “recycling health scorecard,” the survey results help MAPR determine how each customer captures and recycles waste materials, what’s working and what’s not.
“The audit concept was based on an in-depth voice of customer study we conducted to better understand the challenges our customers face,” Pirkle adds. “Continuous Improvement is so important to organizations today in many other areas of their operations, so this audit was designed to bring this same strategic process to their current waste handling practices and build a smart program that continuously improves the worth of their waste.”
Responses to the survey questions are associated with a point scale and averaged into five categories to achieve a scale percentage. This determines an overall waste assessment grade for the customer’s “recycling health,” which the company uses to create an individual recycling plan that maximizes facility efficiency, safety, and updates employee training procedures.
The audit taxonomy assesses areas including:
The customer “scorecard” is just the beginning of the quality initiative. After taking the survey, MAPR’s hands-on team of experts then develops a custom plan to improve such aspects as the flow of waste through a customer’s facilities, eliminate cost streams, conserve and capture the most value possible. The customer receives a free report, and a plan tailored to upgrade their recycling processes and increase revenue growth.
Next, MAPR proceeds with follow-up conversations, onsite visits, mill assessments to match the best one to each paper grade, quarterly reviews on flow reports, rates, payments, recycling values, logistics coordination and more.
Progress in terms of revenues and environmental impacts are also tracked every step of the way, and the data is fed throughout the customer’s operation through regular management reports.
“We find every angle available to minimize waste and maximize returns, support customers by optimizing services and improve training, safety and value, with the visibility and transparency the operation needs,” Pirkle concludes. “Our vision is to become a significant value-added contributor to the paper converter’s waste generation profitability.”
To learn more about the continuous improvement initiative, start by taking the survey at www.midamericapaper.com or follow the link on your smartphone with the QR code imprinted below.
ABOUT MID AMERICA PAPER RECYCLING
Founded in 1926, Mid America Paper Recycling is a fourth-generation leader in the recycling industry and provides solutions for partners ranging from small businesses to large multinational corporations. Its robust program features a new benchmarking audit, consultation services, documentation, quantification and presentation of the specific and overall values that can be realized from customer waste streams. To learn more about the free waste audit and Mid America’s other environmental initiatives, call 773-890-5454 or visit www.midamericapaper.com.
PHOTO CAPTION 1
The New Mid America Paper Recycling Waste Audit Survey is here and it’s free! After taking the survey, the customer receives a free report and a plan tailored to upgrade their recycling processes and increase revenue growth.
PHOTO CAPTION 2
It takes just 10 minutes to start growing the worth of your recycling waste. Follow the survey link on your smartphone with this QR code or visit: www.surveymonkey.com/r/MAPRAudit.
