ABSTRACT
In 1997, the Triangle J Council of Governments initiated a project called the Industrial Ecosystem Development Project in a six-county area in North Carolina, USA. The purpose of this project is to promote partnerships between different businesses for the re-use of materials, water and energy. The largest industrial sectors in the region are pharmaceuticals, computers and telecommunications manufacturers. There are also a large number of medical, university and biotechnology facilities, and Research Triangle Park is the home of 135 research and development firms. The project described herein was initiated in order to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills from business and industry. A company was interviewed that was in the business of handling hazardous materials for other companies. Probably the most exciting thing learned was that it was possible to increase creative thinking about potential partnerships. The tool company representatives thought they might be able to use some drums.
