Summary of New Bench Made of Repurposed Plastic Donated to Reid Park Zoo:
The Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, has received a new bench made of recycled plastic as part of a plastic diversion program. The bench, donated by Vice Mayor Steve Kozachik and ByFusion Global Incorporated CEO Heidi Kujawa, is made from 175 pounds of plastic diverted from the landfill by Tucson residents. ByFusion, a California-based company, turns non-recyclable plastics into construction-grade building blocks called ByBlocks. These blocks have passed building certifications and are already used to construct buildings such as homes and a mural wall in Tucson. Tucson has signed an agreement with ByFusion to operate in the city starting in 2024, making it the first city to use non-recyclable plastic in this way. The Reid Park Zoo is actively involved in environmental conservation efforts and encourages the reduction and reuse of plastic.
Summary:
– Vice Mayor Steve Kozachik and ByFusion Global Incorporated CEO Heidi Kujawa have donated a new ByFusion bench to Reid Park Zoo, showcasing the impact of plastics reduction and conservation.
– The bench is made from diverted plastic and crafted by ByFusion Global Incorporated, a company that turns non-recyclable plastics into construction-grade building blocks called ByBlocks.
– ByBlocks have passed building certifications and are used in various construction projects, including homes and walls around Tucson.
– Tucson has signed a service agreement with ByFusion and will be the first city to launch a fabrication operation using non-recyclable plastic.
In a remarkable showcase of community collaboration and environmental conservation, Vice Mayor Steve Kozachik and ByFusion Global Incorporated CEO Heidi Kujawa have donated a unique bench made of repurposed plastic to Reid Park Zoo. This bench serves as a decorative addition to the Zoo and a visible illustration of the profound impact that can be made when the community works together to reduce plastic waste and promote conservation efforts.
What makes this bench truly fascinating is that it is crafted entirely from plastic diverted from the landfill by Tucson residents. ByFusion Global Incorporated, a California company, specializes in transforming non-recyclable plastics into 22-pound construction-grade building blocks known as ByBlocks. These blocks resemble interlocking Lego pieces and have already obtained building certifications.
The versatility of these ByBlocks is truly astonishing. They are currently utilized in various construction projects, such as building small homes and walls. For instance, an impressive 660-square-foot home in Flagstaff has been constructed entirely from ByBlocks, showcasing the durability and potential of these repurposed materials. In Tucson, ByBlocks are being used to design an 800-square-foot tack room for Therapeutic Riding of Tucson (TROT) and a 72-foot mural wall at Mission Gardens. Moreover, plans are underway to employ these blocks for perimeter walls around trash enclosures, create pickleball courts, and construct raised planters in diverse locations throughout Tucson.
Vice Mayor Steve Kozachik aptly summarizes the impact of ByBlocks by stating, “If something can be made with cinder blocks, it can be made with ByBlocks, helping to reduce plastic pollution.” By utilizing non-recyclable plastics that would otherwise end up in landfills or pollute our oceans and wildlife, ByFusion is leading the way in finding innovative solutions to address the plastic crisis.
The commitment of Tucson to tackle plastic pollution is evident in the city’s partnership with ByFusion. Tucson has signed a service agreement with the company, which will result in the establishment of its fabrication operation at the Los Reales Sustainability Campus in 2024. This move positions Tucson as the first city on the planet to implement non-recyclable plastics and launch a fabrication operation in support of the ByFusion mission.
Vice Mayor Steve Kozachik proudly states, “Tucson is the only city on the planet that is aggressively working on a solution to the plastic pollution that we all see on the sides of the road, filling landfills and killing marine wildlife. Tucson is leading, and our partners at Reid Park Zoo now have a front-row seat for their guests to see what can be done reusing non-recyclable plastic and to be a part of the exciting solution we’re promoting.”
The involvement of Reid Park Zoo in environmental conservation efforts is commendable. They actively promote programs encouraging consumers to refuse, reuse, and repurpose plastics in addition to their other land and animal preservation initiatives. Each July, the Zoo participates in the national Plastics-Free Eco Challenge, urging the Tucson community to join their team and take action to reduce single-use plastics. The Zoo’s team achieved impressive results this year, ranking 8th out of 224.
Vice Mayor Kozachik expresses his gratitude to the leadership at Reid Park Zoological Society, as well as the staff and volunteers who will not only serve as ambassadors for wildlife conservation but also for environmental conservation and reuse through their promotion of the ByFusion project represented by this bench.
The new ByFusion bench at Reid Park Zoo is a tangible reminder of the possibilities when we join forces to tackle environmental challenges. It invites visitors to ponder the transformative potential of repurposing non-recyclable plastics. It is a testament to Tucson’s commitment to leading the way in finding solutions to plastic pollution. By engaging the community and highlighting innovative initiatives like ByFusion, we can inspire others to take action and create a more sustainable future.
For more information about Reid Park Zoo and its conservation programs, please visit ReidParkZoo.org. To learn more about ByFusion and their efforts to combat plastic pollution, visit their website at www.byfusion.com.
