Muskegon, MI – In the fight against global waste, one Muskegon-based company is taking an innovative approach. Rescued 2.0, founded by Joel Lamoreaux, is on a mission to turn discarded items into valuable products, while creating jobs and boosting the local economy.
A Vision Born in a Hotel Room
The story of Rescued 2.0 began in an unexpected place: a hotel room. During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Lamoreaux was activated with his National Guard unit to help set up hospitals and vaccine sites. Spending months in hotels, he used the mirrors as makeshift whiteboards to brainstorm business ideas with washable markers. “I wanted to solve a problem that would give me a mission and a purpose after returning to civilian life,” Lamoreaux recalls. “What bigger problem is there than world waste?”
Addressing a Global Crisis
The pandemic highlighted the severity of the waste problem, especially with the surge in plastic usage. Despite efforts to recycle, much of the plastic ended up in landfills or, worse, on the shores of developing countries. Lamoreaux’s research revealed that when China stopped buying American waste, companies began dumping recyclables in landfills or exporting them to countries like Malaysia and Thailand.
Determined to find a solution that didn’t rely on government grants or the nonprofit sector, Lamoreaux reflected on his previous venture, Rescued Parts. Launched in 2012, this company salvaged components from damaged TVs and sold them globally. Though ultimately sold due to a partnership conflict, the experience laid the groundwork for Rescued 2.0.
A Sustainable Business Model
Rescued 2.0 operates on three core principles: Fix it. Part it. Recycle it. The company focuses on home improvement items, reselling quality products to generate cash flow. This revenue is then reinvested in equipment to recycle plastic waste and transform it into new products.
“Our goal over the next 3-5 years is to turn plastic waste into new products right here in Muskegon,” Lamoreaux explains. “We want to create quality products and more jobs for the community while tackling the global waste problem.”
Building a Dedicated Team
The journey hasn’t been solitary. Lamoreaux has attracted a team of like-minded individuals who share his vision of challenging the status quo. Together, they are committed to making Rescued 2.0 a beacon of innovation and sustainability in the fight against waste.
Looking Ahead
Rescued 2.0 stands as a testament to what can be achieved with determination and a clear mission. By fixing, parting out, and recycling items, Lamoreaux and his team are not just creating products; they are creating a movement. As the company grows, so too does its impact on the environment and the local economy.
Rescued 2.0 is turning waste into opportunity, proving that with innovation and dedication, even the biggest problems can be solved.
For more information about Rescued 2.0, visit their website or follow them on Instagram.
Location & Contact Information:
- Location: 3530 Airline Hwy, Norton Shores, MI 49444
- Phone: (231) 666-1737
- Website: https://www.rescued2.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rescued2.0
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rescued2.0/
- Ebay Store: https://www.ebay.com/str/rescued20
