Finalist Q&A: Environmentally Conscious Organization (e.c.o.), Incorporated

Environmentally Conscious Organization (e.c.o.), Inc. is a design and licensing firm, dedicated to improving outmoded, outdated and wasteful food packaging. e.c.o. is marketing its first product, the ‘Green Box’ (US Patent 7,051,919), a pizza box manufactured from 100% recycled material. The top of the ‘Green Box’ breaks down into convenient serving plates, eliminating the need for disposable plates. The remainder of the box converts easily into a handy storage container, eliminating the need for plastic wrap, tin foil or plastic bags. The perforations and scores that create this functionality allow for easy disposal into a standard-sized recycling bin. Made from a standard pizza blank, the ‘Green Box’ requires no additional material or major redesign and can therefore be produced at no additional manufacturing cost. e.c.o. owns the utility patent on the ‘Green Box.’

How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When my business partner, William Walsh, was a football player in college, he lived a bunch of guys from the football team. Needles to say, the guys were short on culinary abilities and pizza was very regular fare for them. According to Will, there was never a clean plate in the house, so he had the bright idea one day of ripping off the top of the box to use for plates. A few years later, Will figured that there had be something he could also do with the bottom of the box and, ultimately, he came up with the idea of turning it into a storage container for leftovers (for video demo visit: www.tinyurl.com/ckbawe )

What or who, is your main source of motivation?
Our main source of motivation over the years has been Warren Buffet. Warren Buffet is a man that has stayed ethical, grounded and humble despite his success and who is known for his generous philanthropy. We feel that this is how every businessperson should operate.

What is a unique feature of your business?
The unique feature of our business is our first product, the Green Box. The Green Box is a pizza box made from 100% recycled material that breaks down into convenient serving plates and a handy storage container for leftovers. This additional functionality saves on follow-on waste like disposable plates and storage materials like aluminum foil or plastic wrap. In addition, the perforations and scores in the Green Box allow for easy disposal into a standard-sized recycling bin (for video demo visit: www.tinyurl.com/ckbawe).

What are your thoughts on the connection between small business and
the local community?
e.c.o. feels strongly about the importance of supporting our local community. e.c.o. had its start in New York City, which has suffered enormous challenges as a result of the financial crisis. e.c.o. is supporting New York City by locating its offices, warehousing, printing and manufacturing facilities in NYC boroughs and, once able, plans to hire employees from the local area. Our offices and warehouse space are located in Brooklyn and we will be manufacturing and printing our first product in Staten Island. In addition, e.c.o. hopes to support its local community and other communities through the environmental savings it expects to generate through the use of the Green Box.

Why should the Idea Cafe regulars vote for you?
e.c.o. is passionate about the environment and endeavors to incorporate green practices into every part of its business. Where possible, e.c.o. avoids printing marketing materials, preferring to send them over email to potential customers. e.c.o. has an internal recycling program and encourages the use of scrap paper for any required printing. Further, e.c.o. is committed to developing partnerships with companies that are environmentally aware and dedicated to developing and implementing sustainability measures.