UBQ Materials has advanced its partnership with Cascade Engineering and Central Virginia Waste Management Authority (CVWMA) to launch 3,000 trash carts with reduced carbon footprint made using UBQ鈩� material, a plastic alternative made entirely from household waste.
As Virginia becomes the first state to use UBQ鈩�, it is primed to emerge as a pioneer in the United States鈥� struggle with waste management. This partnership builds upon UBQ Materials鈥� proven global track record, marking a milestone for its plans to scale in the American market. The carts, manufactured by Cascade Engineering in the U.S. using UBQ鈩� material, demonstrate an estimated 7.25% reduction in product carbon footprint (cradle-to-gate assessment only).
The carts will be delivered to residents and CVWMA customers across Central Virginia, including in Henrico County, the cities of Richmond, Colonial Heights, Hopewell, and the Town of Ashland, for weekly garbage collection.
鈥淭his partnership with UBQ Materials and Cascade Engineering demonstrates Virginia鈥檚 commitment to leadership in waste management,鈥� said Kim Hynes, Executive Director of CVWMA. 鈥淲e are proud to deliver closed-loop solutions that offer functionality to our customers while giving waste a new life and contributing to the circular economy.鈥�
鈥淭he future of material innovation and waste management is here. Virginia is setting the pace with the help of UBQ Materials and Cascade Engineering,鈥� said Jack 鈥淭ato鈥� Bigio, Co-Founder and Chief Growth and Sustainability Officer of UBQ Materials. 鈥淯BQ Materials is proud to deliver a readily available material replacement for plastic that repurposes what might be sent to landfill into everyday goods for Virginians.鈥�
鈥淐reating this new line of trash carts with UBQ鈩� is a case study in advanced material innovation,鈥� said Christina Keller, CEO of Cascade Engineering. 鈥淭he ease of incorporating UBQ鈩� into this product line showcases the scalability of this circular solution for communities across the country.鈥�
鈥淓xploring new technologies to convert household waste into reusable materials is a critical step toward a more sustainable future,鈥� said Torrence Robinson, Deputy Director of the Richmond Department of Public Works. 鈥淭he department is excited to contribute to the circular economy by using trash carts made from municipal solid waste. UBQ Materials鈥� patented technology aligns with the Mayor鈥檚 Sustainable Built Environment Pillar. Solutions like this help us reduce landfill dependency, lower emissions, and rethink how we manage waste in our communities.鈥�
鈥淚 applaud UBQ Materials鈥� innovative solution that has the potential to change the world,鈥� said Otto Wachsmann, Virginia State Delegate. 鈥淯sing UBQ鈩� to domestically manufacture trash carts for Virginians is a tremendous accomplishment. I’ve enjoyed exploring the opportunity to open UBQ Materials鈥� first North American facility here in Virginia.鈥�