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CalMAX Summer 2005 Cradle to Grave Recycling:
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Joan Childs of Tidee Didee Diaper Service in Sacramento jokingly says of
her husband Bob’s life-long legacy in their now-shared business, “He
never got out of diapers.” According to Joan, more and more parents are
putting cloth diapers on their babies, the reusable alternative. With a
diaper service, convenience and a more ecological alternative can go
hand-in-hand. Here’s where CALMAX comes in: After 70–90 washings, their average wear cycle, diapers get too worn for babies’ bottoms. But then, they make excellent rags for a variety of businesses, such as janitorial services, auto detail, and car washes. One of Tidee Didee’s customers is an optometrist, who uses the cloths for cleaning eyeglass lenses. By extending diapers to these secondary uses, they can survive an average of 200–3000 washings and a lot of service in-between. Tidee Didee also offers a range of service, complete with washing and return, much like their diaper services—especially helpful for car wash customers. Through CalMAX, Joan and Bob have found new rag customers to keep those diapers spinning, not only in dryers, but in that familiar recycling loop. One of their CalMAX connections was a mechanical engineering firm whose fine, optical quality instruments require cotton cloths for cleaning. In addition to the company’s impressive reuse efforts, Tidee Didee is dedicated to other environmentally sound business practices. When diapers are washed, the residue goes directly into the sewage system. They use EPA registered biodegradable products without solvents, computer dispensed and regulated for pH and other quality-control indicators. A heat reclamation system has lowered the company’s gas consumption and bill by nearly 50 percent. What’s new in the diaper business? Tidee Didee is testing a one-piece “eco” diaper with snaps and/or Velcro, lined with a barrier material, which potentially offers an even more convenient alternative to disposables. Tidee Didee employs 25 workers, and their washers and dryers are ready for increased loads from expansion to new markets … … And speaking of dryers, the lint from repeated loads has an amazing use—to pad the lining of caskets. In the waste management business, there’s a popular term, “cradle to grave recycling,” meaning we should plan for recycling and its costs from the inception to the depletion of a product. These CalMAX traders literally practice cradle to grave recycling, in a match made in heaven, with a reminder that truth is stranger than fiction—and that life goes on in an endless circle, just like that familiar recycling logo. Because of the sensitive nature of their business, the casket manufacturer referred to in this Match prefers to remain anonymous. We know Joan and Bob will pass along our appreciation to the owners for their efforts. Thanks and congratulations to the Childs (aptly named) and the entire staff of Tidee Didee for giving new truth to our slogan, “CalMAX will increase your bottom line!” *This article was first printed in the July/August 1993 CalMAX catalog. |
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Last updated: August 01, 2008 California Materials Exchange (CalMAX) http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/CalMAX/ CalMAX@ciwmb.ca.gov (877) 520-9703 |
