| May 15, 2001
News Release An ecodesign firm that uses 100 percent recycled consumer plastic to create stylized, durable and functional chairs, benches, café tables and other home and business accessories is the newest partner in the King County LinkUp program. MetaMorf, Inc., with studios in Seattle, Wash., and Portland, Ore., uses recycled plastic sheeting made from such common household items as milk jugs, shampoo bottles and food containers to create its colorful and distinctive furniture line. The company has won numerous design awards, including the Industrial Designers Society of America's silver award in 1997 for children's furniture. MetaMorf joins a network of other area businesses that are partners in the LinkUp program. Begun in April 2000, LinkUp encourages businesses and manufacturers to incorporate more recycled materials into their products. Sponsored by the King County Commission for Marketing Recyclable Materials, the program uses a team of specialists to offer free information resources, technical expertise and promotional assistance to eligible businesses throughout Puget Sound. MetaMorf creates its own tools and equipment to mold, twist and bend the plastic into the desired shapes. However, the current process is limited to small production capacities. The company has adapted a plastic molding process that uses 100 percent recycled consumer-waste plastic with a minimum of pre-processing. This will allow quality furniture and other items to be produced on a larger scale. The LinkUp team will work with MetaMorf to create a business plan that will help the firm expand into use of this new molding process. Marketing support will be provided, as well. MetaMorf president Colin Reedy was first introduced to recycled materials in 1990 when he attended the Domus Academy in Milan, Italy. After completing a masters course there, he moved to Amsterdam to work with industrial designers and architects who were using post-consumer materials for outdoor municipal transportation projects. Reedy and a partner started MetaMorf in Portland in 1994 and began designing plastic park benches. Since its beginnings, the firm has sold customized plastic furniture to many businesses in the United States and Canada, including REI, Nike, the Heathman Hotel in Portland, Ore., and PCC Markets. To learn more about MetaMorf, click on the company's Web site at: http://www.metamorfdesign.com. Currently, LinkUp is seeking additional manufacturers and entrepreneurs using recycled materials in their products to apply for participation in the program. Businesses interested in learning more about the LinkUp program should contact Erv Sandlin, LinkUp program manager at (206) 296-0233, or visit http://www.metrokc.gov/dnrp/swd/linkup/. Related Information
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