Green Coast Rubbish is Making Waste Removal More Environmental
Eamonn Duignan wants to provide communities with a more environmental way of dealing with waste removal. Eamonn started with one truck and an idea that led him to found Green Coast Rubbish, a service that provides environmentally friendly ways of removing waste, junk and recycling.
We talked to Eamonn Duignan about the challenges he faced starting his own business, his biggest success with Green Coast Rubbish so far, and where he sees the business going in the future.
Sprouter: Where did your journey as an entrepreneur begin?
Eamonn Duignan: My journey as an entrepreneur began when I was in the process of completing my undergraduate degree at UBC. I had previously worked in waste/junk removal, and eventually I left the company I had been working with to start my own venture. I continued to grow the company as I worked my way through teacher’s college, and once I had finished my teaching degree I made the decision to devote my energies to Green Coast rather than pursue a career in teaching.
S: Where did you get the idea for Green Coast Rubbish?
ED: Green Coast started as one truck and an idea about how to improve the way that waste was managed in our community. We felt there was a definite need to offer more environmentally conscious ways to deal with waste, and we were confident that there was a market for this type of service. The name Green Coast encompasses our goal of providing “green” ways to manage waste, as well as our commitment to engage actively in the west coast way of life, which is known for being environmentally conscious.
S: What were your biggest challenges building the business?
ED: Choosing a marketing strategy that fits our business model is one of the biggest challenges we have faced in recent years. This year we’ve really focused on testing out various forms of advertising and promoting the business using social media rather than through the use of more traditional advertising methods. Aside from marketing strategies, Green Coast faces the challenge of trying to maintain our integrity and our commitment to providing environmentally conscious waste removal solutions, while still offering competitive rates to our customers.
S: What have your biggest successes been to date?
ED: This year will mark the fifth year of operation for Green Coast, and the company is stronger than ever. Green Coast has maintained profitability throughout its lifespan, and our reputation within the community continues to improve. Our growth is largely due to the fact that we’ve managed to sustain an incredibly loyal and supportive client base, and the positive feedback and word of mouth marketing that we’ve received from them has been invaluable.
S: What’s your biggest piece of advice for new entrepreneurs?
ED: The biggest piece of advice I can offer to new entrepreneurs would be to always maintain accountability, and stand behind the goods or services that you provide to your customers. It’s also important to be open to new approaches, to altering your business strategies, and to be willing to accept when those new strategies prove to be the wrong ones. Track and analyze your productivity. Look at your results; look at how any changes you’ve made to the way you operate your business have affected your profitability, and reassess your choices if need be.
S: What’s next for you and Green Coast Rubbish?
ED: 2011 is going to be a great year for Green Coast. We’re currently developing a composting program, which we hope to launch in the late Spring. We’re also really excited about the partnerships we’ve formed with several local entrepreneurs, and look forward to developing a group rewards program that should be in effect later this year. We’re also looking forward to increasing our online presence, both through informative blogs and articles as well as with instructive videos that we will release via Youtube and other outlets.
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7 Responses to “Green Coast Rubbish is Making Waste Removal More Environmental”
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Living in Manhattan is a difficult environment to be “green”..but we try in small ways to make a difference. It’s nice to see so many people finally getting a real understanding of just how important this is the to the future of our planet.
Any kind of recycling effort by waste management companies is great. The only problem I have (at least in my town) is that only #1 and #2 plastics are accepted. It is really too bad because there are many more numbers! And all of these are probably thrown in land fills and won’t decompose for at least a thousand years. Plastic is one of those “fabulous” creations that has gotten totally out of control. It is a double-edged sword because on one hand there are so many useful applications for it, but on the other it is a man-made compound that is killing our planet. Just look in the gullet of any fish or sea bird and you will find plastic.
Local businesses and Joe public need educating in this matter, that’s how I found this blog post!
Here in the UK, you see the same problem on the beaches and river banks – plastic!
It’s a common problem and needs fixing!
Thanks for having me
I agree, waste removal make more environment friendly ….the information was really awesome. Keep up the good work.
Key to the success of Vancouver’s Greenest City Action Plan will be a full commitment from local businesses to adopt waste reduction and diversion strategies.
This is vital!!!! I came across your website when I was looking for my own rubbish removal blog and thought I’d have a read of other peoples blogs to get some ideas for my own
Hope thats ok.