NTDTV: Making Cool Products from Industrial Waste

Its pretty hard to miss advertising billboards, but what happens once theyre taken down? Unfortunately most wind up in landfill.

But for Australian Scott Kilmartin, its another industrys trash that becomes his companys treasure. Scotts company Haul, creates urban streetware products from otherwise wasted materials.

The advertising billboards for instance, are turned into their popular Macbook computer sleeves.

[Scott Kilmartin, Manager, Haul Products]:
Depending on what was printed on the original billboard, none are ever the same, youre absolutely getting a one off unique product.

[Scott Kilmartin, Manager, Haul Products]:
Last year there was somewhere in the 800 to 1,000 tons of material went into landfill in Australia, and we at this point of time, or last financial year, kept 35 ton of that.

The resourcefulness doesnt stop at billboards. Car license plates become one of a kind photo albums and CD cases, vehicle inner tubes become messenger bags and backpacks, just to name a few.

[Scott Kilmartin, Manager, Haul Products]:
The goal in starting the business was to produce products that have a soul to them, that are sustainable, and also end up with a business that had a social conscience to it as well.

And in recognition of that innovative approach, the company was awarded the City of Melbourne Business Awards, Overall Business of the Year for 2008.

As for the popularity of the products, the recycling factor isnt the prime reason.

[Scott Kilmartin, Manager, Haul Products]:
We get a lot of musicians that buy our stuff, theyre looking for something a little bit left of main stream. Its got a little bit of uniqueness about it, and I guess for us, the story behind the product is a really big selling point, its the where it came from that lots of that crowd are really interested in.

Oh and Hauls unofficial ambassador is Gus the boxer, he enjoys sniffing out new friends on Twitter and Facebook, and perhaps dreaming of the ultimate dog collar.

Robert Apicella, NTD, Melbourne.

NTDTV's official YouTube Channel got taken down for some weird reason, so I thought it would be a good time to upload some of their noteworthy videos again and it's also to remind you guys that you can actually still find ALL their programming on their website: http://english.ntdtv.com - So just cause Google is probably bowing to China again doesn't mean they are gone - go visit their website, they don't only have news on human rights in China, but have 24 hour programming with live streaming.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• NTDTV
• Making
• Cool
• Products
• from
• Industrial
• Waste