<p>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? </p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p> 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. </p><p>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.</p><p> This conversation will change how you see industrial waste and inspire a new perspective on the future of sustainable design.</p><p> <strong>Kohler WasteLAB</strong>: https://www.kohlercompany.com/our-impact/wastelab/</p><p> <strong>Neutral</strong>: https://www.neutral.us </p><p><strong>Timestamps</strong></p><p>01:37 - The History of Kohler and the Origin of Waste Lab</p><p>04:33 - Matt's Personal Journey to Waste Lab</p><p>08:26 - Scaling Production: Building a Supply Chain from Waste</p><p>17:17 - A Breakdown of the Materials: From Foundry Dust to Pottery Scraps </p><p>20:42 - The Philosophy: Why Waste Lab Focuses on Landfill Diversion </p><p>25:32 - The Handcrafted Process vs. Large-Scale Manufacturing </p><p>28:46 - The Future: Exploring New Products and Categories </p><p>33:07 - How Neutral and Waste Lab Are Partnering on Sustainable Projects </p><p>#SustainableDesign #CircularEconomy #Upcycling #KohlerWasteLab #IndustrialWaste #Handcrafted #SustainableManufacturing #InnovationByDesign #Kohler #Wisconsin</p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit <a href="https://neutralpodcast.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&#38;utm_campaign=CTA_1">neutralpodcast.substack.com</a>