Behind every Morph product is a network of people that includes manufacturers, business owners, community organizers, academics, and others who helped us uncover opportunities to transform waste into something useful.

We continually search for and test new resources, but our knowledge of existing waste sources is naturally limited. We can make basic assumptions about the waste an organization generates, but exactly what kinds, where, in what volumes, and in what condition are likely a mystery for most of us. Given that, we often need help identifying opportunities. Fortunately, every community is filled with people who are aware of waste sources. Those people can be the bridge between an interesting idea and an upcycling opportunity. They also can introduce us to possibilities we never would have considered otherwise.

Not every conversation leads to a product or even a test. The material doesn’t always work as we hope or there isn’t enough volume, and our capacity can be a factor. Regardless, we give serious consideration to every opportunity we’re introduced to, and try to find ways to make everything useful. As we like to say, “Waste is just a resource out of place.”

When things don’t work out in the short run, we keep the resource in mind as we look for additional possibilities. Sometimes it’s just a matter of finding the right circumstances to make it all work.

The people who share these opportunities with us aren’t just suppliers. They’re collaborators who help us pursue our purpose. Some do work with the organizations we get resources from, others introduce us to possibilities with partners of theirs, and some are just concerned citizens looking to help improve resource use. In short, we never know where the next opportunity will come from, but we’re always excited to learn about them.