As Recycling Grows, So Does the Need for New Strategies, Technology

Kim Kisner
May 14, 2024
Business

In 1995, after graduating from the College for Creative Studies with a degree in industrial and product design and an eye toward bettering the environment, Keith Zendler founded Environmental Services of North America Inc. in Detroit.

Nearly thirty years later, the company retooled and relaunched to focus on waste management and upgraded its technology to help it expand and improve its services and expand its network of partners domestically and globally.

We interviewed founder and owner Keith Zendler to learn more.

Q: Tell us about RecycleMax.

A: RecycleMax is a tech-based reboot of a company I founded in 1995. At that time, we had a plant in Detroit and a fleet of 14 trucks and we were focused mainly on paper and similar recyclables. We now provide the environmentally sound management of virtually all solid and liquid waste materials.

I have always been interested in sustainability from a community standpoint – in building stronger and more sustainable communities through technology. So, I sold the original recycling company in 2008 and started a civic tech company focused on designing an online community network for people and organizations to better work together. Through this company, I launched a multisided SaaS platform with the intent of improving stakeholder communication, collaboration, and engagement to help leaders solve political, health, social, environmental, and economic issues.

Eventually, I realized I could apply this technology to the recycling industry and provide businesses with robust and customized waste management programs that help them meet their sustainability goals and reduce their carbon footprint. So, RecycleMax was relaunched as a tech-based company in 2020.

We use the same technology we offer clients internally for our operations. The crux of the platform is its ability to facilitate a community network and real-time communication. We have used it to build a global network of recyclers and haulers that we can leverage for clients.

Q: How is the industry different now, than in the 1990s?

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A: There was a time when we had to push companies to recycle, and they would only do so if we could show that it either saved them money or at the very least did not incur additional expenses. That is no longer the driver. Companies are doing it now no matter what. That is a surprising shift. We work heavily in the auto industry, and I’ve been amazed at how progressive these companies are and how seriously the industry is taking environmental measures.

Adding to that, until recently, most of our recyclables were shipped overseas, and we relied on China to handle them. A lot of waste was ending up in the ocean. China shut that off and it certainly caused a disruption, but ultimately it made the industry stronger. There are more and more companies being established in the U.S. to handle these materials.

The industry has made a tremendous amount of progress, and it’s exciting.

Q: Who are some of your customers in Detroit and Southeast Michigan?

A: Union Tank Car Company, Detroit Manufacturing Systems, Fishbeck, and Piston Automotive to name a few.

Q: In your experience, what are the challenges companies face with recycling?

A: Education and incentivization. Employees often need to be trained in why and how to recycle and handle their waste materials. It’s also vitally important for individuals to understand the difference they are making. Providing that data offers motivation to continue the momentum toward success.

Q: What are the biggest challenges you see that businesses have with waste management?

A: Participation is probably the biggest challenge. Companies need all employees on board. Training and education are critical to a successful recycling program. There is still a lot of work to do in getting people to take recycling seriously.

Plastic is another big challenge for the industry. There are types of plastics that are not commonly recycled due to the unique resins involved. It can become difficult for companies to manage this.

Trucking and logistics are a challenge as well. Transportation costs can be the biggest component when it comes to recycling.

Q: What are the biggest opportunities?

A: I think there is a massive global opportunity in recycling. And by applying technology, the potential to streamline efficiencies is huge.

I never thought I’d be in recycling for over thirty years, but It’s a wonderful industry. It feels good to be able to help businesses meet their recycling and waste management goals and do their part to better the environment.

Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for regular updates on sustainable business practices in and around Detroit.

Kim Kisner

With over 25 years of experience in the development and execution of strategic branding, content planning, and copywriting for brands such as Gatorade, Ford Motor Company, and Under Armour, and published by SEEN Magazine, The Jewish News, and countless health and lifestyle journals and blogs, Kim helps companies, brands, and people tell their stories.

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Circular by Design

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That side hustle evolved into a deeper curiosity about how to make paddles better. I studied engineering at the University of Michigan, which gave me insight into materials and design, and I realized there was an opportunity to build something higher performing and better for the planet. Ultimately, my vision was to revolutionize equipment by using natural fiber and renewable linens – that’s where the name Revolin comes from. Between 2015 and 2020, my sister and I built and tested a few hundred prototypes, experimenting with new combinations of renewable materials like flax and hemp. Eventually, we landed on a formula that delivered superior performance with less vibration and weight — and dramatically reduced emissions. That became the foundation for Revolin, which we launched in 2020 with the world’s first 98% reduced-emission flax paddle. Q: Most high-performance paddles today use carbon fiber, which has a large carbon footprint. How do you assess and reduce that impact? A: Most paddles are made from carbon fiber or fiberglass, and those materials definitely have value. They’re lightweight, stiff, and durable. But they’re also petroleum-based, energy-intensive to produce, and nearly impossible to recycle. We evaluate each material’s embodied emissions — how much carbon it takes to produce — and calculate the footprint per paddle based on the exact quantities used. Our data shows a 50-75% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per unit compared to traditional paddles. We also manufacture in the U.S. using primarily U.S.-sourced materials. That reduces transportation emissions and gives us control over our process, from sourcing to final product. Most of our emission reduction comes from our material choices — how we layer and combine them to improve both environmental impact and performance. Q: You use BioFLX™ (hemp/flax composites) and LavaFLX™ technologies. What are those materials, and how did you develop them? A: BioFLX™ refers to our biocomposite made from hemp and flax — two plants that grow tall and fast and contain some of the strongest natural fibers on Earth. We extract, weave, and layer those fibers in specific orientations, then press them together using a low-energy resin system. The result is a lightweight, rigid panel that reduces vibration and is fully recyclable. LavaFLX™ works similarly but uses fibers derived from volcanic rock. The rock is melted, purified, and extruded into filaments thinner than human hair. It’s less energy-intensive to process than carbon fiber and easier to recycle, while offering exceptional power and spin. We also combine the two to create BioFLX™ Plus — a hybrid that balances strength, elasticity, and environmental benefits. We’ve patented how we layer and weave these materials, and we’re already exploring how to use them in other industries like skis, snowboards, and paddleboards. Q: Where do you see the biggest energy or waste inefficiencies in paddle production? A: Two main areas: waste and durability. In traditional sporting goods manufacturing, roughly one-third of materials end up as scrap. A lot of that comes from cutting patterns or using oversized molds. Most of the industry’s production is overseas, so there’s also significant energy and shipping waste. We focus on small-batch production to minimize scrap and leverage leftover material wherever possible. Then there’s product lifespan. Some players go through a dozen paddles a year because they’re not built to last. We design ours for durability — and we are piloting a program to refurbish and recycle paddles at end-of-life. Q: What steps have you taken to make your packaging more sustainable? A: We keep packaging simple and circular. All of it is made from recycled cardboard that’s fully recyclable again. We print with algae-based inks, which have a lower footprint and fewer toxins than petroleum-based inks. And we use minimal packaging — no excess plastic or unnecessary filler. Q: How does your paddle recycling program work? A: We recently launched a pilot program with our Rise paddle, which was designed to be nearly 100% recyclable. Once the grip wrap is removed, we can grind the rest of the paddle and turn it into pellets for injection molding or even filament for 3D printing. Customers who return their paddles get a discount on a new one, and we reuse the material to create other products. The program is still in its beta phase, but we’re collecting paddles and testing processes now. Within the next year or two, we plan to scale it into a full circular system. Q: What are the biggest challenges you face? A: Cost is definitely one. Our materials are unique and sourced from small, innovative suppliers. Building everything in the U.S. adds cost too, but it allows us to control quality, innovate quickly, and maintain transparency. Availability can also be challenging. These materials are newer, niche, and sometimes hard to find in the right weights or thicknesses. Q: How do consumers respond to the higher price point? A: It depends. Some buyers come to us because of sustainability, others because of performance. Once players feel the paddle — the lack of vibration, the control, the extra spin — they recognize the performance value. It’s not just a sustainable paddle; it’s a better paddle. We’ve worked hard to keep pricing competitive without passing our higher costs directly to consumers. And once people learn