Real Talk with a Product and Zero Waste Specialist

This post was written by Amy Bartucci, IFSCC Administrator.

I recently learned more than I could ever imagine about the incredible work led by our very own, Jamie Brown. Jamie is a Product and Zero Waste Specialist of EcoProducts, one of the two IFSCC Platinum Sponsors. EcoProducts is a Certified B Corporation and Jamie’s natural, collaborative spirit and leadership in values-driven business activities continue to make the compost industry in Illinois stronger and more successful day by day.

I hope you enjoy a little window into Jamie’s world at EcoProducts by reading highlights from a recent interview.  We can all gain inspiration from Jamie at EcoProducts and work to incorporate these types of activities into more communities, businesses, municipalities or institutions in Illinois. ~Amy Bartucci, IFSCC Administrative Coordinator

1). Can you provide some examples of how EcoProducts can work with municipalities or organizations in communities to increase successes with the pipeline of certified compostable products getting to commercial composting facilities?

Absolutely! I recently assisted Sustainability Officials from the City of Roseville, MN to deliver educational sessions for local restaurants to gain a better understanding of a proposed “Green to Go Packaging” ordinance. Restaurant business owners attended these events to learn about the benefits of compostable packaging and how to operationalize this for and set-up cost/benefit.

In Illinois, I am working with the community organization, Takeout 25. Their mission as a nonprofit organization is to enable and empower the local small food businesses sustainably while addressing food insecurity. One initiative Takeout 25 has is to sponsor a new Green Dining Hub. This is the first of its kind in the state and is starting in the Oak Park community.

In support of this program, I am working to bring our organization in as a main sponsor through monetary donations. Additionally, within this initiative we will provide participants with special price offerings for our compostable products. They will be able to buy EcoProducts through WasteNot Compost who is another partner in this initiative. Customers who purchase from EcoProducts will be adding dollars to Takeout 25 as they will receive a portion of the profits from EcoProducts. This has been a highly collaborative initiative and filled with opportunities for me to make a difference with EcoProduct’s support.

2. Does EcoProducts engage in any legislative activities? If so, how?

We engage in various national advocacy groups and many of our employees are board members of these groups such as BPI (Biodegradable Product Institute). This is a third-party certifier of compostable products. We also have employees who are board members with USCC (US Composting Council) and SPC (Sustainable Packaging Coalition). We participate to influence policy and legislation. We also get engaged with local governments and nonprofit organizations that are paving the way for creating positive change for sustainability.

3. Access to composting infrastructure is critical to address the entire needs of society. How is EcoProducts working to ensure more and more audiences and populations are a part of successful operations?

EcoProducts is driven to make a critical difference and with this mission, they created my role, which is a Product and Zero Waste Specialist. This was designed in 2016. In addition to this role the expertise and engagement of my fellow colleagues throughout the organization is purposeful and driven to create sustainability within our society and for the betterment of the future.

Many experts within my organization receive awards and recognition for their purpose and passion on these topics. For example, this year, I received the Making Waves Award from The Sun Foundation for my work in Central Illinois. The solutions and collaborative direction I provided created real advancement in zero waste for these communities. (This was the real reward for me personally, and I appreciated the recognition too. It was memorable).

4. Please tell us a little about your work with Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (JEDI) principles. Do you have a specific example of something you are particularly proud of? 

Like many organizations today, we are working to make a genuine impact with JEDI principles. I can provide a couple of examples that I am engaged with at this time.

I worked with a fellow Product and Zero Waste Specialist, Toby Alves, to create two different strategies to support our JEDI principles. The first one supports composters who are often small business owners with limited budgets. We listened and created solutions to make our products available to them by providing smaller quantity offerings and when possible, price offerings that would align with their business model. 

The second solution we designed is a Fair Business Program for diverse and start-up businesses. This is comprised of solutions that include lower minimums and, in some cases, free product offerings. We also offer a credit line, which helps build business credit.

5. Please share a particular business partnership or recent event that brings you the most pride in CIRC (Controls Intended to Remove Contamination), EcoProducts’ Contamination Mitigation Program efforts?

I am motivated by supporting organizations in removing contaminants. This is my every day.

One recent project that is a unique example of the care and competency required for applying our CIRC process and toolkit is when I worked with Better Earth Logistics. This composter had stopped accepting material from Knox College because it was contaminated. Better Earth Logistics reached out to me as our relationship is strong and we have built on authentic trust. I collaborated with Knox College starting with leaders from various departments including food services, operations, and sustainability. Within two months, Better Earth Logistics was again accepting their loads. We returned with further education and video promotions to demonstrate things can be turned around successfully with trust, innovation, and productive collaboration.

6. Building a resilient local food system in Illinois is a very energetic space these days. Is EcoProducts engaged with any efforts with small retailers, community composters or co-ops? Please share!

Yes, we have many relationships around the USA and Canada!

One recent project that stands out is my work in Woodstock, Illinois. Earlier in the year, WasteNot Compost worked with me and the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County to create a compost collection route. This was essential due to the distance between Chicago and McHenry County. In May, the Food Shed Co-Op opened their store and was interested in this route. Together we worked to expand the compost collection route to include the Co-Op. This is an ongoing project as we are continuing to make improvements to include further businesses. 

EcoProducts has been providing the foodservice industry with the broadest array of packaging made with renewable and post-consumer recycled content available anywhere for the last 20 years. Read more HERE.