Recycled Industrial packaging, made closer than you think!

At Orcon Industries in LeRoy, they offer a variety of commercial packaging solutions, ranging from cardboard to plastics. We took a trip out to find out how this packaging company is taking alternative steps to ensure not only quality products, but environmentally friendly ones as well.

Bruce Olson is the President of Orcon and says, “It doesn't do any good to have a green product if it doesn't perform the function of getting the product there, and getting it there economically. The challenge is to find products that are green, do the job and get the product there effectively. "

One of the greener solutions they rely on is through a process known as molded thermopulp. It starts with recycled newspaper scraps, and they come to Orcon by the truckload, where they eliminate over 12 tons of paper waste from the landfills each day. The paper is then fed into a large hopper where it's mixed with water into a liquid that resembles oatmeal. This liquid is poured over a mold and is strained to eliminate all water. It's rapidly heated and dried, and then takes a ride out the end of the line as a finished product. The pieces we saw being made will eventually be used to ship motion picture reels from Kodak. Olson also said that “in the mid 80's, Kodak and Xerox got pretty active in wanting environmentally safe products…" and Orcon responded.

They also manufacture plastic packaging products that are made almost completely from recycled plastics, which come from our used milk, juice or soft drink bottles.

It’s easy to distinguish what's recyclable from what's not. All plastic bottles will have a triangular marking on the bottom with a number inside. If its a one or a two, don't put it in the trash, throw it in your recycling bin! Just another easy step towards going green.