DB Export, a New Zealand brewery, engineered a machine to turn glass beer bottles into sand.  Their campaign to save the country's eroding beaches has since expanded into the construction and pharmaceutical industries and 30 countries.
 

While desert sand can be used to make beer bottles, its grain is too round for construction use.   Dredging of beach sand for construction use and beach erosion worldwide created a shortage of sand for beaches. DB Export's bottle crusher spins at 2800 rpms pulverizes a single bottle in 5 seconds to create 200 grams of sand substitute.  Click to read more

Speaking of beer

With Octoberfest on its way, Thrilllist's compilation of

the country's best beer gardens, include two in

Chicago: Indoors, outdoors, fire pits, bocce

courts and beer on tap.

Park & Field - click here for website, here for Yelp

For businesses, reuse and recycling maximize value from output, regardless of the product or service they offer.  Many manufacturing processes leave waste that holds potential -  reduced disposal fees and add itional revenue streams through by-product sales or in-house reuse.

Lumberyards monetized sawdust into farm bedding, particle board, and mulch.  General Motors turned paint sludge into plastic containers durable enough to hold engine components, reformulated solvents into paint for plant floors and more... Read the story

The Illinois Sustainable Tech Center's team of manufacturing engineers and environmental scientists can help companies in the areas of pollution prevention; water and energy conservation; and materials recycling and beneficial reuse via the Technical Assistance Program (TAP).

Click here to learn more about ISTC and the TAP program.

or contact Elizabeth Futch, Sustainability Specialist - 630-472-5016

Other Useful Resources

Womens Business Development Center's t eam professional advisors can assist in  every aspect of starting and growing a business.  Click for website

Chicago Women in Trades exists to improve women's economic equity by increasing their participation in high-skill, blue-collar occupations.  Click for website
10 Other Resources for Women Entrepreneurs - Click here

FOR SALE or LEASE - 6240 E. Belmont Avenue, 60634

Well maintained two-story brick - Ideal for professional offic es, educati onal or medical clinic. Offices/classrooms, two half baths on 1st floor; 3 office/classrooms,

full bath, kitchenette and open lounge on the 2nd floor.

 

Contact Deborah Smith 773-885-3254

Deborah has over ten year's experience in assisting small businesses and manufacturers  

with TIF, Enterprise Zone, and  

public sector incentives.  

Something to Do?

Whether for fun, advancing your career or earning a degree not pursued, online classes abound.   Choose from some 80 or more colleges and universities, including Harvard, from introductory to advanced courses and in multiple languages - imagine being 'back in school' while nursing a glass of wine on the couch with your feet up.

Small busin ess assistance begins here... 

Whether an Idea...Or Already In Business

From launching an idea to expanding an existing business, Illinois' Small Business Development  Centers (SBDC) can connect you to the experts, tools, and incentive s that translate into endless possibilities - from startup to financial, environmental and regulatory assistance. 

Click here for an overview of programs & incent ives

Click here for a list of SBDCs

3637 W. Irving Park Road - 773-267-5112