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GM scraps transformed into coats for homeless
Excess sound-absorbing material is converted into waterproof coats for homeless individuals.
Thu, Sep 13 2012 at 1:58 PM
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When General Motors has leftover sound-absorbing materials from the Chevrolet Malibu and Buick Verano, it doesn’t just recycle the material. Instead, GM donates the material to Veronika Scott of The Empowerment Plan. Scott then turns the material into self-heated waterproof coats that can be converted into sleeping bags. These coats are then distributed to homeless individuals in Detroit and other cities.
Scott came up with the idea to make weatherproof coats when she was a student at the College for Creative Studios in Detroit. After designing the product, she hired homeless women to make the coats for distribution. Since December 2010, Scott has hired eight full-time employees that make 150 coats per month.
One of Scott’s biggest challenges with the program is a challenge that all small business owners face — funding. Specifically, funding for expensive insulated material.
“Among other challenges — from design to project funding — the insulation is the largest expense in the coats’ production,” said Scott. “With GM’s help and recommendations, I was able to think about materials in a different way and incorporate a sustainable, durable and practical product from GDC, Inc. that benefits struggling community members.” Source: GM
General Motors donated 2,000 yards of the Sonozorb material to Scott. This was enough material to make 400 all-in-one weatherproof coats. This donation will help keep 400 individuals warm this winter and it also helps General Motors meet its waste reduction goals.
Learn more about Scott’s program by visiting The Empowerment Plan website.
Photo: John F. Martin for General Motors
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I am curious. Did GM throw this out and it was saved? Does GM recycle it back to the manufacturer normally but in this case threw it out? You said "donated" so I assume GM got a big tax write off? 2000 YARDS! Holy cow that's a lot of scrap. No wonder they're bankrupt. Bottom line, the title you have is as usual MNN, misleading, and the reporter as always really has no clue or fails to tell us what is really going on. Which is this Scott company and GM got a free blurb.