'the smart hanger'
Leigh Meadows CEO and Director of Operations
Chris Pearce Director of Finance
Warren Pearce Director of Sales & Marketing
‘the smart hanger’ is a clothes hanger made from 100% recycled paper, 90% post consumer waste and fully recyclable’ It’s unique and patented design offers the ONLY alternative to metal and plastic hangers, reducing carbon emission from material extraction, production and eventual disposal.
‘the smart hanger’ serves multiple users. With a built in solid platform ‘the smart hanger’ is more than a clothes hanger; advertising, messaging, branding, licencing and artwork is creatively displayed and our multiple business models and network connections provide; Advertisers access to target demographics through our network of dry cleaners, the Travel and Tourism industry and Universities an in-house platform for messaging and cross promotion, For and Not For Profit Organizations and Government departments an informational/educational or promotional give-away, Retail display and Retail consumer purchase of collectible themed designs. ‘the smart hanger’ is a product with purpose and it’s fun.
‘the smart hanger’ will give Torontonians the opportunity to contribute to the reduction in green house gas emissions, support local industry and reinforce environmental action and education.
Our non-profit/charitable partnership is geared toward the Retail application. Teaming up with a Charity whose focus is on children, in particular children with learning disabilities, we are developing 'characters' with whom children can associate, characters who have messages of strength, hope, and empowerment, who bring all children and their families together to learn, share and have fun.
In excess of 350 million metal and plastic hangers are consumed in Canada every year, with that number growing daily. The following Carbon Emissions Comparative Analysis Data was prepared for ‘the smart hanger’ by Brett Wills, High Performance Solutions Inc. This analysis clearly outlines how ‘the smart hanger’ will reduce urban climate emissions by reducing energy use, reducing transportation distance and waste. (the smart hanger is 100% recyclable and will not end up in landfill).
Boundary of Analysis:
1. Raw Material Extraction & Processing
2. Disposal of Finished Product (Landfill)
* Note: Does not include CO2e emissions from transportation from manufacturer to end user.
Carbon Comparative Analysis / 1,000,000 Hangers
Description
(A)
Weight / Hanger
(B)
Kg RM / 1,000,000 Hangers(1)
(C)
Kg CO2e /
kg RM (2)
(D)
Kg CO2e / 1,000,000 Hangers Landfilled(3)
(E)
Kg CO2e /
1,000,000 Hangers Produced(B*C)
(F)
Kg CO2e /
1,000,000 Hangers Life Cycle (D+E)
Metal Hanger (Steel)
40 g
40,000
2.83
1,760
113,200
114,960
Metal Hanger (Brass)
40 g
40,000
2.42
1,760
96,800
98,560
Plastic Hanger (PP)
25 g
25,000
3.9
1,100
97,500
98,600
Plastic Hanger (PS)
25 g
25,000
2.7
1,100
67,500
68,600
Plastic Hanger (PC)
25 g
25,000
6
1,100
150,000
151,100
Smart Hanger
48 g
48,000
1.23 / 1.32
0
59,040 / 63,036
59,040 / 63,036
(1) Source Information Provided By: Leigh Meadows
(2) Source Information Provided By: Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE), University of Bath, 2008
Assumes no coating of plastic, metal or cardboard hangers.
Information for cardboard hangers comes from EDF (first number) and ICE (second number)
EDF Source Info: http://www.edf.org/papercalculator/
(3) Source Information Provided By: EPA WARM Tool Emissions Factors
* Source Document Steel & Brass:
A Life Cycle Inventory of Process and Transportation Energy for
Eight Different Materials: Franklin & Associates, 1998
** Source Document Plastic (PP,PS,PC):
http://www.americanchemistry.com/s_plastics/sec_content.asp?CID=1185&DID...
American Chemistry Council
Notes for CO2e from Landfilling:
Metal Hangers
Based on the numbers provide for landfilling of steel cans as this is the only information available.
0.04 metric tonnes of CO2e per short ton
1 short ton = 907.18 kg, 0.04 mt = 40 kg, 40kg/907kg=0.044 kg CO2e per kg material landfilled, 1000 hangers = 40 kg, 40 kg * 0.044 kg CO2e = 1.76 kg CO2e / 1000 hangers landfilled
Plastic Hangers
Based on numbers provided for landfilling of PET as this is the closest match to the materials listed for plastic hangers.
0.04 metric tonnes of CO2e per short ton
1 short ton = 907.18 kg, 0.04 mt = 40 kg, 40kg/907kg=0.044 kg CO2e per kg material landfilled, 1000 hangers = 25 kg, 25 kg * 0.044 kg CO2e = 1.10 kg CO2e / 1000 hangers landfilled
Carbon Equivalencies of 1,000,000 Hangers*
Description
Kg CO2e Difference**
Gal of Gasoline*
Trees*
Cars*
Homes*
Metal Hangers(Steel)
114,960-63,360= 51,600
5,804
1,323
9.9
6.3
Metal Hangers(Brass)
98,560-63,360=35,200
3,960
903
6.7
4.3
Plastic Hangers (PP)
98,600-63,360=35,240
3,964
904
6.7
4.3
Plastic Hangers (PS)
68,600-63,360=5,240
589
134
1
0.636
Plastic Hangers (PC)
151,100-63,360=87,740
9,870
2,250
16.8
10.6
* Information provided by US EPA Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator
http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html
Gal of Gasoline: CO2e emissions from combusting gasoline
Trees: CO2e sequestered from tree seedlings grown for 10 years
Cars: annual CO2e emissions from average passenger vehicle
Homes: CO2e emissions from annual electricity use of average household
** Kg CO2e Difference based on highest CO2e for Smart Hanger
Leigh Meadows – Inventor and Designer, Director of Operations. Responsible for product design, and multiple business model development. Leigh is a mompreneaur dedicated to bringing her Son’ dream, ‘the smart hanger’ to life. With 20 years of experience in small business development, a big picture thinker and people person Leigh has established network connections in; ‘green’ business circles, environmental advocacy groups, waste management, advertising, corporations, for and not for profit organizations, retail outlets, dry cleaners, universities and charities.
Chris Pearce – Director of Finance for ‘the smart hanger’ Partner at pearce wellwood corrugated design who for over 30 years have provided expertise in all phases of creative packaging & display to the ever-changing retail environment. With a customer base including, but not limited to, Wal-Mart, L’Oreal and Revlon, to name but a few, Chris’ network connections in the retail industry are far reaching. With ‘paper’ being the primary product source Chris’ network connections are extensive in this area of industry.
Warren Pearce – Director of Marketing & Sales for ‘the smart hanger’ Partner at pearce wellwood corrugated design. Warren' network connections mirror that of Chris.
Vanessa Alssop – Senior Sales Representative for ‘the smart hanger’. Vanessa received her masters in environmental studies and comes with 20 years experience in the print industry. Vanessa’ network connections extend into environmental affairs as her primary passion and focus.
‘the smart hanger’ has already sold advertising contracts; Adidas Canada, Bank of Montreal, University of Toronto and Smart Commute Markham. These contracts have provided financial remuneration to our dedicated sales force. We are currently in negotiations with retail giants, specifically selected charities and Canadian artists to finalize our retail offerings for consumer purchase. Our forecasted sales for the next 12 months will enable expansion. We will continue to respond to market trends, expanding the ‘collectible’ hanger offerings and developing new designs to meet the needs of ‘hanger’ users everywhere.
‘the smart hanger’ has multiple distribution methods and industry partners, providing protection from potential transitions in market trends and demand.
Comments
Amazing
Thanks oilnomore, I have some samples where are you I could send them?
Leigh
costs vs metal hangers
Hi Shammond, thanks for your question. the smart hanger is more expensive than the common metal hanger used by dry cleaners. Made of very poor quality, poor materials and imported from Asia. The business model sells advertising space on the hangers and provides them to Dry Cleaners for FREE so it actually helps the dry cleaners who, in essence, become our distributors. The advertisers pay for the hangers, they want access to the target demographic. We already have quite a few cleaners using them, the hurdles are end consumers, some of whom resist change, so we need to educate on the positive environmental impact. Awareness and education are our major challenge.
The Smart Hanger
Saves resources and reduces waste
Gerry McQuiggan
Thanks for your comment and support Gerry.
The Smart Hanger
The product solves several issues in one go. Companies get their advertising distributed to a wide range of people, dry cleaners get free eco friendly hangers, and the public, when finished with the hangers, can dispose of them with a clear conscience that they are not harming the enviroment.
This product should be used worldwide.
Joan
Thank you for your comments I'm glad the description was clear enough for you to understand the concept
There is always room for improvement and I look forward to hearing more comments/suggestions/requests
The Smart Hanger
How refreshing to have a simple approach, the Dry Cleaners get a freebie, the Advertisers get massive coverage via the Public, the end product is easily disposible without harm.
Simplicity is often the best and this is SIMPLY THE BEST.
Butch
Thanks for the vote of confidence
Need to get the word out and educate consumers on the importance of embracing this new product
Long lasting?
I like that people are thinking about ways to reduce emissions in all different feilds on this website! Even the process of where we get our clothes hangers is important!
Hey I think this is a great idea if you can get enough people on board, but will paper stand the test of time year after year with my winter jacket on it?
Long Lasting?
Thanks for your comments and support of the idea
Our current designs are for children' clothes, mens and womens 'indoor' clothes. We have not yet designed one for coats, although I have had my winter jacket on a sample for 3 years now! For 'indoor' clothes the hanger is actually stronger than metal and as strong as many plastic (independent third party load testing results ar available). The hardest thing is for people to 'believe' because like you it is hard to imagine paper will be strong enough!
Financial Strategy: Bootstrapping and your Lead Customers
Please read below.
I’m excited to see so many entrepreneurial proposals on ClimateSpark. I especially like the model of social ventures that can sustain themselves by creating their own revenue and be less dependent on grants or gifts.
In my own experience starting and building several companies, I’ve often employed “bootstrapping” techniques so I’m not dependent on external capital (VCs, etc.). One technique I’ve used successfully is to recruit one or more “lead customers” who pay me up-front for a service (e.g., consulting or something they need right away), which gives me the capital to build my product or capability for them. The big advantages: cash up-front (or early); a real customer to help make sure my design is something they’ll want to buy; and a great partner to test ideas with as I’m getting off the ground.
What’s your bootstrapping strategy? Have you tried to develop “lead customers” for your product or service? Have you talked to potential customers ? What are you doing to get cashflow from them early, so your idea can gain traction?
Bootstrapping
Thanks for your comments Deepak
I find this an interesting approach and on the surface a great idea. My target customer(s) are large retail outlets, I find it difficult enough to negotiate adding extra line items and relationships in touch economic times, let alone asking them to 'fund' the initiative for proof - I'm going to think more on it. Thanks
Clearly expressing your business value – Mock Press Release
Each proposal in ClimateSpark is bringing a valuable community based idea forward to help with energy conservation and the reduction of carbon emissions
Centennial College, School of Communications Media & Design, Corporate Communications and Public Relations Class of 2012 will be working on a set of mock press releases, in anticipation of this proposal being one of the 20 to be selected on October 31 to continue to ClimateSpark Ignite Phase 2.
If you would like to be interviewed as part of the mock press release development process, please send a note to Professor Barry Waite, bwaite@centennialcollege.ca by Friday October 21, 2011.
If you choose not to be interviewed, the mock press release will be developed based on Information currently posted in the description of your idea, as well as information gleaned from the various comment interactions.
Mock Press Release
Thanks for this information
I would love to be interviewed, the opportunity for students is fabulous. In point of fact Laurier University have already used my business model for their marketing teachings.
Clever and Innovative
I am very surprise that these hangers are just as strong as plastic hangers and even stronger than metal hangers. I must admit that I was skeptical but I think that it is amazing that redesigning and rethinking such a simple product has the potential to make such an impact in terms of emissions reduction.
Great Opportunity for Advertising
This innovative hanger provides a great new alternative for advertising, and a clever way of combining marketing and a positive environmental impact. I believe that incorporating costs into the proposal would be beneficial as it would be a popular inquiry people would have. It is important to acknowledge that the advertisements will be paying for the hangers and will be free for dry cleaners. Once the consumers are aware of the process they will be more inclined to purchase the hangers and participate with the program. Not only is it environmentally friend, but creative as well!
Great Follow Up
I think this project is very strong and the key difficulty would be finding appropriate and very well targeted advertisers and creative/stylish ad. I think the David Beckham example shows some real progress in that department.
A large portion of dry cleaning must be pants, do you have an option for pants yet?
All around amazing.
I have to agree with several of the posts above. Not only is this a creative alternative to the plastic and metal hangers but it is environmentally friendly as well. I especially like the fact that you will be selling advertisement space on the hangers and will be supplied to dry cleaners for free. Your proposal is well thought out and very informative. Explaining to the consumer the environmental benefits is a definite plus but I like to see that you've already sold advertising contracts. Good job!
Long term potential
I believe that the hanger will become a useful tool for any business looking to advertise to the public. I think that organizations would be more interested in the project if clothing retailers became partners. An in-store inititiative would serve to limit waste and costs for retailers. Advertisers and the organizations promoting them would then engage in co-branding opportunities that would then branch out their brand awareness.
Great Idea
I absolutely love the idea of this. Come to think of it, I believe I saw this product on Dragon's Den. This is a great concept, especially from an advertising point of view. I can see this appealing to lots of people. Kids will especially love this. You can't beat familiar characters and fun colours.
It's not necessarily something that needs to be improved, but more of a question. How sturdy are cardboard hangers? Can they withstand heavier items or repeated use? I would think that after some use they would break. Is this the case? Also, how much would these hangers sell on the market for, if and when they are available to the public I would definitively buy some!
Cool product!
Expanding as a marketing tool is a great idea too.
How do the hangers hold up when damp? ie hanging wet clothes out to dry?
What's the hang-up?
This is such a good project, I have to ask how come you need help? I'm surprised you haven't got the industry and advertisers beating a path to your door. Let's talk.
You mention partnering with charities. If your message is waste reduction and conservation, why not partner with a conservation group. Here's the bonus: we will help translate donations into more funding for community green projects.
One of the principles we have for We Conserve is "distributed leadership" - the idea that we all must be leaders, and each in our own way. Leadership has three components: who we are, what we do, and how we help. For businesses, this translated into internal operations, products and services, and community support.
Your donation program should help both sponsors and drycleaners support community projects, be it by the environmental community (like those of us competing here) or for neighbourhood community networks and their projects.
Companies now charge 5 cents for a plastic bag, and many donate the proceeds to charity. The Beer Store is our major sponsor for the We Conserve campaign, based on their bag fee.
If the same process was done for metal hangers, 350 million hangers at 5 cents a hanger would translate into $17.5 million for community green projects. Okay, so we may not hit that target (not unless there was legislation backing it up), but even on a voluntary basis combining customer donation and a charitable contribution from advertisers, we would be able to raise significant funds to support community networking, planning, and action.
Great idea!
I think this is a really great idea. I especially like the idea of targeting children.. I can imagine a child absolutely loving the fact that they're hanging clothes on colorful hangers with their favorite characters on them. I assume the hangers will come in different sizes.
I think this is a highly
I think this is a highly unique idea that works well by changing the way we use an existing product, rather than attempt to drastically transform lifestyles as many of the other projects on this website do. Small steps used on a wide scale have a greater impact. I like the idea of working with artists to create images for the hangers for children and pairing them with a children’s charity. It gives a child something interesting to have in their closet, and can pair their favourite shirt with their favourite hanger! I would think that would increase how the audience receives the project idea. I’m amazed at the versatility of paper that it’s strong enough to create such a product! Great thinking!
Really great product and re
Really great product and re-thinking of the business model
As a consumer, I'm a bit worried about transfer of inks to my family's clothes - especially when I make the enviro-decision to hang them up damp.
sensible
I think this is a solid idea. My only issues are that it's another 'replacement' product rather than direct waste reduction - though I see how this pays off in the long run. The other thing would be if advertisors are actually buying into this (I think it's brilliant that you're trying to create value for them) but are they convinced that this will be effective - given that if the hangers are in use, the ads would be hidden.
I wish this was around 20 years ago - but it's never too late to do what's good.
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Amazing
Your emission claim is amazing. What a cute project!
It would not be difficult to make some actual samples. It would be great to see them.