CleanRiver CEO Bruce Buchan on “Why I Launched the LeanStream”
christina.lafferty
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On the eve of the official product launch, CleanRiver CEO Bruce Buchan sits down to discuss all things LeanStream and how the global pandemic and his passion for making effective recycling programs inspired him to re-evaluate his product offerings and make a shift to be more inclusive especially for all the organizations who have been affected this past year.
Well 2020 has been an interesting year to say the least. Although it is hard for me to believe, this year marks CleanRiver’s 30th year in the business of manufacturing recycling and waste solutions. We were all set to celebrate this tremendous milestone with our customers and the sustainability community, then bam! We’re in the middle of a full-fledged pandemic, dealing with mandatory closures, and making sure our employees are safe, during an attempt to pivot our business.Any business owner can relate to how challenging 2020 has been. But adversity can humble you. As I talked with many customers, friends, and fellow business owners I was constantly asking myself, how CleanRiver can make a difference? What do our customers need right now for this new world we all live in?In the past 30 years I have been proud to have built CleanRiver’s reputation on manufacturing high quality, effective recycling and waste containers. Designed to help any business implement a successful recycling program, helping them to save money, and do the right thing for the environment.Our core products are manufactured out of recycled HDPE. Plus, our expertise in the practice of effective recycling graphics and restrictive plate openings. Designed to be intuitive for users to easily identify the different streams and sort their waste quickly and correctly. These commercial recycling containers have solidified us as leaders in the sustainability community.
[caption id="attachment_9487" align="aligncenter" width="400"] The all NEW LeanStream[/caption]
Our core products and fan favorites such as the transition TIM or Excel Dome Top are not necessarily a cheap commodity, and are an investment for any company. For years I‘ve tossed around the idea of developing a low cost commercial recycling bin, but never pushed myself to wrap my head around how to go about it. I was too worried I would end up negotiating on quality to try and cut cost.The effects of the pandemic pushed me to get outside my comfort zone and start working hard to create a solution that would still embody CleanRiver values. While incorporating 30 years of experience understanding what makes an effective recycling station, and have it still be affordable for any budget conscious business. Thus, the early stages of the LeanStream concept was born. At the end of the day, recycling should not be elitist. It is not a privilege, but a right! Everyone should be able to do it and I am working to be a part of the solution. The LeanStream represents CleanRiver’s belief that everyone and every business should have an equal opportunity to have a successful recycling program, save their business money and do the right thingwithout having to compromise on quality or effectiveness.
Who are the LeanStream commercial recycling containers for?
Honestly? Everybody! From all sizes of business to even your home garage or cottage.The LeanStream is an affordable and customizable solution that takes the pain out of waste & recycling with the same easy to use, high-quality functions and features of more expensive waste stream products.
Durable
Versatile
Compact
This slim trash can easily adapts to your needs. Whether you're looking to start or supplement a recycling program, or you just need arecycling bin with a lid!
Which problems do slim commercial recycling bins solve?
The biggest problem it solves is price. The LeanStream is versatile and is sold in several different package options to meet your needs. Our recycling bin lids can be purchased separately and are designed to fit most 23 gallon commercial trash cans out there. Allowing you to retrofit your program and get your feet wet in terms of starting to separate streams. However, a 3 stream LeanStream station with backboard is only $359.85, up to 50% less than our recycled plastic lumber products.The LeanStream is designed with accessibility in mind. Whether you currently have a robust recycling program with more expensive products but due to budget restrictions may not be in a place to expand, the LeanStream is the perfect accessory solution that can be customized to fit your current recycling program for a fraction of the cost. (I like the idea of making it simple and accessible, so it is ideal for e-commerce. I want to start developing more products that customers can easily load into their online cart from the safety of their home.)
What do you love about the new “slim trash can”?
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I love that the LeanStream is SIMPLE in every sense of the word. With 3 different lid plate colors and 8 unique stream opening shapes to choose from, the LeanStream makes it easy to change and build your waste and recycling station to fit your needs or grow as your program changes.The streams stay together with our strong aluminum connectors and the 8.5” X 11” inch backboards and high impact graphics can be configured 2 ways. We also have the inhouse ability to customize the graphics for your program OR you could even print your own graphics and slip them in if you wanted! NO TOOLS REQUIRED for any assembly. Just click and collect!
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But most importantly the LeanStream’s quality and durability meets CleanRiver’s high standards. The LeanStream’s 23 gallon commercial recycling bins and robust recycling bin lids are manufactured right here in North America. The recyclable HDPE they’re made out of can withstand high traffic areas and rough environments such as manufacturing shop floors. The LeanStream is built to last unlike other comparable commercial trash cans on the market.
CleanRiver Recycling provides a variety of innovative, flexible, and customizable recycling solutions. To determine the right solution to meet your needs, use the CleanRiver product selector.If you have additional questions that weren’t answered in this blog post please call us at 1-866-479-4038 or email solutions@cleanriver.com.
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CleanRiver is dedicated to promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship through various community initiatives.