pointGUARD pallet protector concept places 3rd in national recycling competition

United Pallet Services, the sales and marketing arm of the recently patented pointGUARD pallet protector, was given the 3rd place award at The Recycling Innovators Forum on August 26th in Louisville, Ky.

The pointGUARD entered the competition with its base product, a plastic protection device that attaches to the entry points of a wood pallet and is made of recycled polypropylene that comes from a post-industrial blend of rigid packaging from the electronic industry. This attachment protects the pallet from forklift and strapping damage.

According to forum officials, The Recycling Innovators Forum seeks to recognize and reward original and actionable innovations that have the potential to transform the recycling industry. Though only in its first year, the Forum has long-term goals of fostering invention, originality and measurable improvement in recycling customer experiences, processes, technology and markets. This year’s sponsors include Waste Management, the American Chemistry Council, Coca-Cola Recycling, eCullet, Alcoa, and Resource Recycling magazine.

First place went to Recycle Scanning Barcode/QR Technology by Earth 911 and second place went to a process by GreenMantra Technologies for the Utilization of Recycled Plastics (PE and PP) in Industrial Waxes. The pointGUARD, along with the first and second place winners, beat out nearly 50 other proposals initially submitted to the Forum. From those original 50 nine finalists were chosen, and on Aug. 26, project representatives for the finalists presented their recycling-related visions to a panel of judges. A total of $27,000 was handed out to the top three winners to help foster their inventions.