Sometimes wastes such as industrial and commercial materials cannot be avoided. When there is a material that cannot be used, what can be done with it? Handling and disposal are costs to businesses. Recycling is a good alternative if there is a market for the material.

Another way to reuse unwanted material is to find someone else who can use it. This can be done through a materials exchange. Formal materials exchange programs have been set up by a number of states, regional agencies, and private companies. Often they consist of a catalog or website listing available and wanted items. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Environmental Science and Services Division (ESSD), uses three such Internet materials exchanges to help Michigan companies that do not have access to the Internet. Individual companies with Internet access can contact all of these on-line materials exchanges directly to post materials:

• Indiana Materials Exchange
• OMEx: Ohio's Materials Exchange

For those companies that do not have Internet access or are not comfortable posting materials directly, they can use the Michigan Materials Exchange Service to assist them.

HOW THE MICHIGAN  MATERIALS EXCHANGE SERVICE WORKS:

STEP 1: Determine what material there is to list, the quantity and quality being generated, and whether or not this is a one-time generation or the material is being generated on a regular basis.

STEP 2: Identify a contact person for the exchange. When there is interest in the material, that person will be contacted directly.

STEP 3: Contact the Environmental Assistance Center (EAC) at 1-800-662-9278 and ask to speak to materials exchange staff. Requests can also be sent via e-mail to doroshkl@michigan.gov. Staff will post information on the Internet exchanges.

STEP 4: Staff will contact the designated company contact person if there is interest in the posting. After that, it is up to the company to negotiate with the potential purchaser. As always, when dealing with a hauler, recycler, or anyone handling generated materials, make sure the materials are managed appropriately. The generating company is ultimately responsible for any material generated by the facility. Postings usually run for several months on materials exchanges but listings may be renewed.

FINDING MATERIALS ON AN EXCHANGE LIST
A company may find useful materials on a materials exchange. Anyone looking for surplus or by-product materials from another business should check the many available on-line materials exchanges. For assistance, contact materials exchange staff through the EAC at 1-800-662-9278 or via e-mail at doroshkl@michigan.gov.

OTHER MATERIAL EXCHANGE OPPORTUNITIES YOU CAN USE

• American Plastics Exchange
• ChemDeals.comis "a revolutionary, full-service, online trading system for surplus industrial chemicals, specialty chemicals, and other raw materials. ChemDeals.com provides a marketplace where chemical industry manufacturers, distributors, processors, and other buyers and sellers can trade their excess chemical inventories in an efficient, anonymous, and hassle-free manner." Quoted material is directly copied from the website.
• Enviroxchange
• Pennsylvania Material Trader
• PlasticsNet
• The U.S. EPA Jobs Through Recycling Program hosts a website containing a list of national and state-specific materials exchanges.

EXCHANGE TIPS TO REDUCE WASTE LEAVING YOUR FACILITY
Large institutions, corporations, and even government agencies have sold surplus materials in a warehouse setting. With the availability of the Internet, some have taken advantage of this resource to sell otherwise disposed of items. For an example of such a program, view Michigan's Internet Surplus Auction. Other ideas you can use in your business are:

• Set up an internal materials exchange.
• Circulate "Surplus Lists" to departments at the facility. Materials may be generated in one area that could be useful in another.
• Seek local outlets for your excess materials. Transportation costs can sometimes discourage exchanges.

DISCLAIMER
This service is provided to increase the reuse of materials that would otherwise need to be disposed. The ESSD is neither liable nor responsible for the character or content of any item listed or for the determination of what may constitute a hazardous material or create a hazardous situation. ESSD reserves the right not to list a material and to edit information provided by the listing party. ESSD does not take possession of any materials and provides for the exchange of information only. ESSD does not warrant or guarantee the quality or safety of any of the listed materials.