May 2024
Helping Orbus Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle
Mid America Paper Recycling began working with Orbus, a Woodridge, IL-based designer and manufacturer of trade show displays and accessories, three years ago to further its efforts to minimize its impact on the environment. Orbus has been recycling 75 percent of its total waste for over a decade, diverting more than 10 million lb. of recyclable waste from landfills. In 2023 alone, Orbus said it recycled over 1.6 million lb. of cardboard, paper, aluminum, fabric, plastic, steel, wood, and other materials, eliminating 80 percent of its waste from landfills. With Mid America Paper Recycling’s help, Orbus has maintained an ambitious recycling program that separates its recycled waste into categories, bales much of its show display waste, and repurposes used cores and rolls.
Orbus uses steel and wood stands to reinforce its fabric displays.
“We started processing their bales of fabric and paperboard cores that no one else would recycle for them,” remembers Bill Krafcheck, National Sales Manager at Mid America Paper Recycling. “Currently, we recycle their cores, 12-ft-long butt rolls, and corrugated boxes from their inbound supplies. The cores are baled and sold to a mill, while the butt rolls of paper stock are exported. We also service some of the wood they use in the fabrication of show displays. The wood waste is ground up and reused as landfill night cover. Recycling the wood diverts it from being thrown into dumpsters and taken to a landfill.”
Orbus produces fabric and paper backdrops, banners, signs, and exhibits widely used at trade shows, outdoor promotions, and retail displays.
Mid America Paper Recycling picks up the waste in its drop trailers and processes it in its Chicago facility. Communication and support are essential to keeping customers like Orbus coming back, Krafcheck mentions. “We listen to customers, find out how they can benefit from recycling, and get more value from their recyclable materials. We then find the right sources for repurposing their waste, which involves research, strategizing, networking, and much more. We are always looking for sources to handle difficult-to-recycle items like wood supports and rolled materials. Sharing information and best practices is as important as following up. We monitor their progress and determine if anything else can be done to improve their operation.”
Orbus generates a lot of paperboard roll cores in the production of its displays.
Orbus recognizes the world’s natural resources are limited and considers environmental awareness a must. It wants to underscore its sustainability mission to embrace eco-conscious practices for a healthier, greener future. “It’s truly inspiring to witness Orbus’ evolution towards greater eco-consciousness,” explains Vice President of Marketing, Natalie Whited in a recent company press release. “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made, but even more excited to continually implement more green practices in years to come.”
For more information on Orbus, visit https://bit.ly/4bmMjn4.
Talk with the Mid America Paper Recycling sales team and assess your recycling operation. Visit
https://www.midamericapaper.com.
