The Ohio BPS Network is a collaborative project launched in October 2009, under the sponsorship of the United States Business Council for Sustainable Development (US BCSD). The purpose of this project is to help businesses convert wastes into profits while creating environmental and economic benefits for regional communities. The project is being led by the Center for Resilience at The Ohio State University in collaboration with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) and other Ohio-based organizations. The network will follow the standard US BCSD process that has been used to develop BPS networks in Chicago, Mobile, Kansas City, Puget Sound Region, Houston, New Orleans and New England.

Joining a BPS Network enables companies to realize some of following benefits:

• Increased revenues from by-product sales
• Reduction in waste disposal costs
• Substitution of lower-cost, locally sourced recycled feedstocks
• Reduction in solid waste and other environmental burdens
• Reduction in energy use and greenhouse gas emissions
• Reduced demand for virgin materials leading to resource conservation
• Stimulation of regional entrepreneurship and economic development
• Enhanced corporate reputation for sustainable practices
• Interaction with other leading companies and technical experts

• Diversity:Participants represent a wide variety of industries and organizations, thereby broadening the markets in which participants can find by-product synergy opportunities.

• Communication: The network provides a safe forum to share ideas without fear of legal, regulatory or other threats. Open communication stimulates creative thinking about BPS opportunities beyond company fence lines.

• Partnerships: By leveraging technical consultants, regulatory agencies, research organizations, and additional funding sources, the network can help participants overcome barriers to implementation of the synergies discovered.

• Quantifiable Benefits: All BPS projects carefully track associated environmental, economic, and social benefits. This provides current and prospective participants, as well as funders and other interested parties, with a continuing incentive to maintain and expand the program.

Eligibility: The network is open to any company or other organization in the Ohio region that wishes to explore opportunities to (a) transform waste materials into byproducts, or (b) secure recycled material streams in place of virgin feedstocks. The network also welcomes affiliate members who wish to share their knowledge or expertise related to by-product synergy.

For more information, see information for prospective members.

To apply for membership, please contact:

Megan Moses
Ohio BPS Network Director  
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(614) 668-1926