Why Resource Synergy?

by Erik Makinson

Many people have asked me, “Why would you leave, not only a steady job, but one leading an organization that you built yourself, practically from scratch” – referencing Ecova’s waste offering.

My response may surprise or confuse some.  But for others, it makes perfect sense.

First of all, Ecova is an outstanding company, filled with great people that make a tremendous impact on our world. I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of that organization for close to 7 years.

However, each day on my way to work, I drove past 5 office buildings with a trash dumpster and no recycling dumpster; from our office window, I stared at the trash compactor and much smaller recycling container, all the time knowing that 80-90% of office waste is recyclable. I also knew that recycling for Spokane businesses is 70-85% less expensive than trash disposal. Not only were these businesses missing an opportunity to reduce their environmental impact, but they were also missing an opportunity to improve their bottom line.

For years, I spent my days leading a team of dedicated individual who implemented world-class recycling programs for national chain sites all over the country. What we were unable to do, though, was impact those small to medium-size businesses in our own community, and without support and guidance, these organizations were not making the change on their own.

I also learned that because of changes in the local waste jurisdiction and the reduction in state funding, these businesses were unlikely to receive the support that they would need from either city or county government.

It’s this need, coupled with a desire to be more present with my young family that drove me to establish Resource Synergy. In the coming months and years, I plan to target those very buildings that I drove past for several years (and others throughout the inland NW) to help them to realize the financial, employee, customer and environmental benefits of wasting less and recycling more.

I invite you to join with me in this journey.

Erik Makinson

Founder, Resource Synergy