Rubber Manufacturing Waste

Our rubber recycling efforts grew from very humble beginnings. We started with a cardboard box in the corner of the warehouse where any damaged or returned product found its way. Luckily our business model did not generate much waste and with the various demands of running a business it honestly was not a primary concern. Our goal was simply to keep the rubber out of the trash can and eventually find a use for it. After the addition of the new self-draining scupper plugs we noticed that cardboard box was starting to get full. We could rework some of the ground rubber into new plugs but not at a rate that matched what was coming out of the manufacturing department. We needed a better plan.

In April of 2021 Kayak Scupper Plugs teamed up with a national rubber recycling center to process our rubber waste into other useful products. Our recycling partner was already finding uses for what we had no use for and their only requirement was to keep it coming. That was easy enough for us and it freed us up to focus on what we do best. Today you can find our scrap and returned rubber pieces in playgrounds around the country. As it turns out, the rubber is able to be used in the production of safety play surfaces that are both functional and beautiful.

Packaging Materials

Kayak Scupper Plugs strives to only use packaging and shipping materials that are either recycled, recyclable or with the lowest impact on the environment as possible. From the beginning in 2017 we have only used starch based packaging peanuts in place of the traditional petroleum based polystyrene or even the 70% recycled polystyrene which is recycled but still not biodegradable. Our starch based peanuts are produced in a food-safe environment and are non-toxic making them safe around humans and animals. These peanuts easily dissolve in water making them completely biodegradable and easy to dispose of. On occasion we also use 100% recycled paper for large packages in place of the starch peanuts.

Our product currently comes packaged in a 100% recyclable (#4) poly bag which is recycled the same as any plastic drinking water bottle.