Guest Blog: Zero-Waste Innovation by Jim Matorin

As a food-away-from-home marketing specialist, I am alarmed about the economic, environmental and social repercussions (fighting hunger) associated with food loss/waste. Consequently, I always enjoy learning about new, innovative food waste (a.k.a. garbage) diversion concepts that fall under the global visionary philosophy of Zero Waste – the redesign of sustainable resources.  All products are reused. 

Two primary Zero Waste examples are detailed below:

Feel Iceland: Founder & CEO, Hrönn Margrét Magnúsdóttir observed how her father-in-law, a fisherman of Viking decent, utilized his catch from the ocean. She was alarmed how much of the fish byproducts were thrown away. Her mission was born; she was determined to create more value for the fish caught by Iceland’s fishermen. Via research, along with other ingredients from the waters surrounding Iceland, she created a line of food supplements and skin care products that would make people feel good.  The first being a collagen powder made from Icelandic fish skin and amino acids that helps conserve the youthfulness (elasticity) of skin. Just mix the powder into your favorite smoothies, tea or the beverage of your choice. Their latest innovative product is an anti-aging skin serum made with a high concentration of marine enzymes and Feel Iceland’s collagen powder.

TimberFish: Due to fish consumption being at an all-time high, a third of the world’s oceans are over fished (source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), thus raising a red flag for the future sustainability of a key protein for millions of people worldwide. A viable solution is sustainable aquaculture (a.k.a. fish farming), the fastest agricultural sector for the past forty years. However, critics of aquaculture are concern about farm fish feces contaminating oceans, lakes and drinking water, plus the drain on environmental resources (e.g., corn, soy, ground fish, etc.) needed to feed farm raised fish. Enter TimberFish Technologies originally launched in 2008. They feed their fish with a combination of nutrient-rich wastewater from food processors (breweries, distilleries and wineries) and wood chips.  Wood chips contain microbes, a source of food for small invertebrates like worms and snails. The fish eat the invertebrates. Two additional sustainable benefits of their innovative technology: 1.) The fish excrement provides a source of nutrients for the microbes completing a cycle; and 2.) TimberFish Technologies system’s only output is clean water plus spent wood chips further utilized as a biofuel or soil supplement.

Zero Waste Innovation – #SaveThePlanet! Feel Iceland and TimberFish are two innovative examples of utilizing the precious sustainable resources of our planet.

Do you know of any other Zero Waste product concepts?

Background

Jim Matorin offers 35 plus years of broad business experience. For the past 23 years, Mr. Matorin has been the leader of SMARTKETING, an innovative marketing resource company specializing in the foodservice channel. Since the company’s formation, SMARTKETING has transformed relevant market insight into measurable success for numerous clients in a multitude of product categories – convenience foods, ethnic foods, organic/sustainable foods, desserts, etc.

SMARTKETING specializes in the following areas:

Strategic Planning

New Product Introductions

Market/Segmentation Solutions

Social Media Planning & Execution

Prior to beginning SMARTKETING in 1994, Mr. Matorin worked at the Campbell Soup Company. Jim was a member of the Food Service Division responsible for the Meal Enhancement Group (VLASIC, PREGO) and Field Based Marketing. Before he joined Campbell’s, Mr. Matorin was with the Food Service Division and Retail Convenience Foods Division of the Quaker Oats Company where he led several commodity-based businesses and was a member of the team that turned around Aunt Jemima Frozen Retail. Jim started his career with Unilever in New York City, both in a financial and marketing capacity in the Household Products (fabric softeners, dishwashing liquids) Division of Lever Brothers.

Mr. Matorin, former IFMA (International Foodservice Manufacturers Association) Chairperson of the Small Business Advisory Committee, is a two-time recipient of their prestigious Sparkplug award (2005 & 1997). In addition, Mr. Matorin works on numerous community projects – Project H.O.M.E. and ESWA, non-profit organizations that fight hunger in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Email: Jim.Matorin@gmail.com

Blog: smartketing.com/

Twitter: @Cannes53