Episode #27 - Matthew Sanchez

Have you ever considered where industrial waste goes? What if the dust from a factory or the runoff from a pottery studio could be transformed into a beautiful, handcrafted sink in your home?

We’re on-site in Kohler, Wisconsin, at the innovative Kohler Waste Lab with Matt to discuss how they are turning landfill-bound materials into luxury home products. Matt shares the origin story of the Waste Lab—an idea born from employees experimenting on their lunch breaks—and how it’s scaling into a full-fledged business unit.

In this episode, you’ll learn how Kohler is challenging the future of manufacturing by viewing waste not as a liability, but as a primary resource. We get into the details of their process, from collecting foundry dust and pottery scraps to handcrafting unique tiles and sinks that give new life to discarded materials. We also explore how Waste Lab is building a resilient supply chain from unpredictable sources and what it means for the future of the circular economy.

This conversation will change how you see industrial waste and inspire a new perspective on the future of sustainable design.

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Kohler WasteLAB: https://www.kohlercompany.com/our-imp...

‍Neutral: https://www.neutral.us

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‍Timestamps

‍01:37 - The History of Kohler and the Origin of Waste Lab

‍04:33 - Matt's Personal Journey to Waste Lab

‍08:26 - Scaling Production: Building a Supply Chain from Waste

‍17:17 - A Breakdown of the Materials: From Foundry Dust to Pottery Scraps

‍20:42 - The Philosophy: Why Waste Lab Focuses on Landfill Diversion

‍25:32 - The Handcrafted Process vs. Large-Scale Manufacturing

‍28:46 - The Future: Exploring New Products and Categories

‍33:07 - How Neutral and Waste Lab Are Partnering on Sustainable Projects