Turning Waste Into Wealth: The Future of Sustainable Real Estate

Byron Irwin (00:00)
So you know what we did for for probably less than two hundred thousand dollars is created the center. and it can be reduced and increased, but that gave you everything together, right? That’s in vessel drum, that’s all the all the fencing, everything around the property to get it ready, all the recycling bins, all the clothing bins, all and and all the houses and barns and

And so we created this little community within a community. Now, depending on land size, you can increase or that decrease that. But it doesn’t have to be a huge investment.

Issa Hanna (02:10)
Welcome back to another episode of *The Real Estate Pros Show*. I’m your host, Issa Hanna, and today I have Byron Irwin here to share a revolutionary new plan to bring economy and even money to our investors in a sustainable, eco-friendly way. Byron, welcome to the show.

Byron Irwin (02:27)
Well, thank you. It’s a pleasure to be on the show and and I think we have something unique to talk about. What we’ve done in this community is create something extraordinary. We became the first sustainability site, campus in the US. And and that was to combine organic reductions through an in-vessel composter to add community gardens, to add recycling, to add a

educational campus where you have a biodome for educational classes and you’ve got bird sanctuary, you have beehives, you’ve got games for kids, you have rides, you have animals. And that was to keep the community engaged and and youth wanting to come back. Sustainability, for the most part, if you see a recycling center, it’s very into intuition and off institutionalized

Like there’s not a whole lot of feel good about it. you see barbed wire fence, you see ours and a lot of cameras, but it doesn’t educate children or the community why they’re doing it. So what this does differently, anything that so bottles and cans go to the Cub Scouts, the recycle cardboard goes to to to help the Girl Scouts out, the the clothes that are donated.

End up with the thrift center that the churches helped the entire community. That was never done before. And what that does is provide all the programming for those charities in any given year. And the donations are hugely up. But what the community also needed is a center. They needed a center to be able to compost so that they can get that organic stream.

Out of the landfill into community gardens and into the community itself and teach why it’s important for composting and pollinators and all of these things. But what it did is create something unique. Being the first campus that ever did this, it’s bringing all these skills to a community level. So it’s showing that people can volunteer, that people can get excited about sustainability.

And I think this can go all over the US. And what it did for our plant is put us on the map. It allowed and improved the land and made better use of the land, but it got communities excited. And I think that’s what investors are looking at. How do you in rural America, how do you get an audience excited? And how do you get property value up?

These are one of the things that do it. And what we’re finding out, communities everywhere, California and Austin, Texas, all over the US are coming to here and going, We like what you’re doing. We should have more of this in the US. We should have more community. So we see large companies that have done composting. Well, those aren’t educational sites for children. You see large companies who are recycling, those aren’t really educational sites.

When you bring it down to a community level, what you do is get people engaged and you get the community engaged. And what you’re doing is increasing property values and you’re increasing the engagement of community and you’re supporting all the charities. And I think this can be done at any community anywhere in America, no matter what size. And I think we’re really probably disrupting the industry because we want to engage youth.

And how do you engage them? You have to build something that talks to them. We have even a puppet theater, and that’s going to talk to recycling and and composting so that it’s engaging to them and to the community. And what it can do, what we’ve shown just and will be our grand opening is September 1st. But we’ve been through we’ve been already adding the recycling, it’s it’s gone huge very quickly.

Everybody realized this is paying for all the charities in town. And so these sites can add value to any investor that has a piece of property anywhere in rural America that they don’t have a function for it. This could really turn a community around, provide for the community, provide that needed education, and and develop something s totally special. And and that’s what we’re

We’re here to talk about.

Issa Hanna (06:52)
I love that. you know, it it’s a new way to tackle a huge problem we’ve been having. We were talking earlier. I grew up in the nineties. I remember cutting the the six pack can things so that the you know, so that that they don’t get thrown in the ocean and hurt the fish. So you know, I know my generation is super big on tackling all you know, the problem that we have with trash and landfills and and the whole nine yards. And I I love the aspect that

You’re bringing it in, you know, you’re building a community. It is adding value when you’re when you’re doing this. and you guys are the prototype. This is from what I understand, never been done before in the United States.

Byron Irwin (07:32)
No, and the industry doesn’t probably like it. I’m probably disturbing quite a few people. because you know it’s always been throw it into a transfer station, throw it into a landfill, they’re gonna worry about it. but what happens, you know, we know that most of that organics may or may not be be composted.

Most of that, that if we have a recycling program, what you find if it goes to a transfer station, it’s not being recycled, it’s all going to a landfill. and what that is, is a missed opportunity to support the local charities and keep that product local. because now you’re supporting community gardens, now you’re supporting education and you’re teaching people how to grow food.

So if we’ve got a food problem in America, what better way to resolve it than teaching people how to grow food, how to use raised gardens to supply those needed food in our community? And and what I saw as a business of people coming in, you know, begging for food. And I’m I grew up on a farm where we raised food. We never went hungry, but there was no community garden. There was no way of getting those services to the community.

Especially in times where we see today that there are more families struggling in America than ever before. Let’s give them another alternative. Let’s show them how to grow food, what is sustainable, and let’s provide the composts that are there and provide programming for children. You know, I think a lot of families can’t s can’t send somebody the Girl Scouts or Boy Scouts or Cub Scouts or any of these programs. They can’t afford to pay for it.

Now, through recycling, all those programs are paid. The parents are no longer responsible. Now you’re now you’re really giving back to a community. And this is where investors should be, you know, looking at is how do they create centers like this in rural America or or anywhere in America that create and give back? Because that’s when you’ve really changed the dynamics. And and that’s what I’m excited about.

being involved in this project. we’ve got it up in less than five months. So it’s been a tremendous amount of work and it’s a passion of mine to see to be able to to work with children and work with the community and see that glimmer of hope in their eyes that this is something unique, something never been done, but it’s working already, even before it opens, that everybody is getting so excited.

of what this means to a community because a lot of small communities don’t have the have access to this. And this can work for any community.

Issa Hanna (11:07)
One hundred percent. it it just sounds great. I mean, the community could come, their community garden. There’s so many things they can do on your campus. the kids, like you said, if they they can’t go to Boy Scouts, they can’t go to Girl Scouts, they can go to your campus. there’s going to be programs for them, they’re gonna have activities to do, it’s gonna be totally free for them. what a way to bring a community together.

What a revolutionary. That’s why I called it revolutionary in the beginning. It’s probably why they don’t like you, some people, right? but who who likes the revolutionaries, you know? I mean, it’s just a great way to tackle the trash problem that we’re having. Everybody knows the problems that we have with landfills, everybody knows recycling could be better, composting could be better. So when you keep it, like you said, in that community, a landfill’s trash can turn into

that community’s treasure. and and that’s what you guys are doing. I love that. I want to get a little history on this idea though. I mean how’d you you were you were just sitting at home and you’re like, okay, you know what? Let me do this with was it your property or was it, you know?

Byron Irwin (12:12)
our property so we happen to be located just before a landfill so I saw what was going on and what was being trashed I saw clothing I saw all the kinds of things that could be recycled and it’s a project I kind of looked at for four years. should you know somebody needed to step up and I was finding until you actually build it nobody steps up.

They they you need to have a vision. And and what we do as a company, we manufacture in-vessel composters. So we’ve we’ve sold 2,000 all over the world and we donated to many educational institutions across America. And I went, this fits for us. Let’s let’s handle the organics, let’s add recycling bins, let’s divide our land out so 24/7 we’re open. And

They can divert that from landfills or or other means and put it into here that supports the community. And that was stage one of it. And then we started building the educational center, which is a large biodome on the property. And I went, okay, it’s you know, to keep the youth and communities involved, if you put a park with a merry-go-round and a TV and a playhouse and a train and

And you create games in there, and you have turtles and you have dwarf goats and rabbits and all these other animals, you have youth wanting to come back all the time. And that at that time we have a puppet theater and they can start learning about recycling and sustainability. So we did this, it was is something we paid a hundred percent of myself, going, okay, I think this investment.

can change how we view sustainability and recycling and composting and all these things and how we can get the community working together as one. So it’s something that, you know, I had a vision, had the means to to put that vision into place. But I have a big heart for children. And I’m going, there was no recycling, no recycling education happening.

And my feeling was this is the time to get rural America really excited. This is the time to show that recycling can pay for most of the programs, if not all of them, with the charities that are around. And so I’m excited to see that we’re Cub Scouts are reporting their revenues are they they can take more people in Cub Scouts now, which is which are great groups.

to educate the go on field trips. Kids can be kids. And that’s what this is about. It’s giving them an educational pull. But you know, I grew up on a farm, so I played outside all the time. I you had a play house, right? You had the whole, you had the whole area, but kids seem to miss that here. We create a a one playground, you know, and everybody has one, but it’s not.

interactive. It doesn’t create anything for their imagination. And what kids are missing is something to connect their imagination. And that’s what I wanted to do. Yeah, you don’t I don’t think you have to go to Disneyland. You can create that locally and and get a message out marked there.

Issa Hanna (15:39)
I love that. I mean it’s it is about our future. The future is the kids. you’re gonna teach them so many life left in lessons. You’re gonna teach them how to plant their own food. Like you said, a lot of people don’t know how to do that. just taking care of of of a crop or a plant, you guys, is very, very entertaining. Seeing it grow from a sprout to to full bloom, being able to eat off of that once you’ve

You know, you’ve grown it or or even if it’s a flower garden or something, seeing that finished product is so satisfying and it’s something we are missing in our community these days. Everybody knows it, all the parents see it. Kids are on the iPads or in the house. this is a way to get them out for them to enjoy themselves. You don’t have to pay an admission to come in there. It’s a community thing. And then to our investors, and that’s kind of where I want to shift focus a little bit.

Our investors, you know, we’ve all been there. We’ve been on the Zillow or whatever it is, and we’ve seen huge pieces of property for very, very minimal money, you know. And you’re like, okay, well, what could I do on that? It’s in the middle of nowhere. It’s a it’s it’s close to a small town. What Byron is doing, this is a whole different avenue that you can take it, and and for a small investment, you can make a huge difference, not even in your pocket.

But to the community you invest in. So can you shed some more light on on on a little bit the small differ or the small investment, big difference?

Byron Irwin (17:45)
So you know what we did for for probably less than two hundred thousand dollars is created the center. and it can be reduced and increased, but that gave you everything together, right? That’s in vessel drum, that’s all the all the fencing, everything around the property to get it ready, all the recycling bins, all the clothing bins, all and and all the houses and barns and

And so we created this little community within a community. Now, depending on land size, you can increase or that decrease that. But it doesn’t have to be a huge investment. We did a much larger center because I wanted to prove that all these intertwine, but I’m finding more and more cities are looking for this avenue. it’s so if as an investor has got a piece of property that is underutilized, now what we’re finding is.

We’re going to have daycares, we’re going to have preschools, we’re having schools, cut, all different charities coming in using this property. what a great way if you connect a business to that to get a huge impact and to change how your business functions. So if you’re gonna connect that to a business, now you have a you have access to thousands of people coming to you.

And there’s the difference, I think, for any investor. we were little, little known in our community. Now people from all over from 60 to 100 miles away are coming over to see what this is about. What a great revenue source if you now bring people to you and you have a product line that that connects with them. So I think for investors, it’s a huge opportunity to for very little money to increase the value of their land.

But also to gather people. And so if you’re looking at a property that is moving and you’re in rural America, this is something that you can upscale or downscale, create an impact and get the community there. So if you’re looking at investing or starting a business in a smaller area or even a large area, by doing this, you’re people are coming to you now. And that makes a huge difference.

Issa Hanna (20:03)
100%. The more people, the more community you have, the more your property value goes up. And then you get to feel good, right? You’re not gentrifying a neighborhood, you’re not doing all this kind of stuff that that people don’t like. You’re actually bringing value and and real value and real community to rural America, who everybody knows. I live in a small town. Yeah, it’s already community oriented. These people, they would gravitate to something like that.

like you guys would not believe. So to our investors out there, you know, this is brand new. This is revolutionary. There’s a first of its kind. Byron has built it. People are coming. So make sure, you know, you when you when you do see this or when you hear this on Apple or or whatever you guys, whatever platform you guys are are hearing this on, make sure you explore this. in a little bit I am going to ask

Byron, how we can contact him if people were interested. And it’s easy to set up. I you built it, you told me it’s it’s very easy to set up. So can you shed some more light on on how easy you it is?

Byron Irwin (21:08)
Well it you know, it it’s just looking at that piece of property and and and then dividing the areas out, right? And how you’re going to do it. Raised beds are fairly easy to set up. You’re you’re gonna gonna put a fence around that area, you know, and then outside that fence you’re gonna have a row of of recycling bins and and they’re easily manufactured and easily put in. we even put a little library in there so there’s always

educational books on recycling and everything. And then on the other side, composting, you know these systems come complete. They’re easy to set up with an you pour in concrete, adding electrical, and then you’re done and they’re most energy efficient in the market. So the it the the the the hardest part is the marketing, right? it’s easy enough to set the facility up and it’s not complicated.

And like a biodome, that you can buy them complete. They’re very easy to set up. and the rest of it, you know, I I spent a lot of time looking at and finding things that would bring children in. That probably took me some time. I went around five different states, one to buy a unique little train, to buy a merry-go-round. And some of these things don’t exist and and they’re not something you can just.

buy new, you know, there’s some of this stuff, you know, is 50 years old that you’re now bringing in and re putting life into it. so you’ve got to shop around to make those areas a little unique so that you truly engage people. But beehives and all these things can easily be done to to draw people’s attention. And what I find we just we’ve we just haven’t found anyone else willing to do that. And and I feel

We’re all missing the mark just a bit because this really can make a huge difference for everyone.

Issa Hanna (23:01)
Huge difference. like I keep saying, guys, one of a kind, revolutionary. Byron has a prototype. And I can see this taking off in the future, but I kinda wanna see where you see it in the future. So I look you up in five years, right? How many of these things have you gonna set up around the country?

Byron Irwin (23:20)
I think, you know, we’re gonna see this really change. we’re getting calls already from all over California and Texas, and we we just attended a conference in Tennessee, and Tennessee’s going, wow, you know, we need to do this in our communities. So I can see in in in five years there being a thousand of these centers all over the US and and way beyond that in ten years, right? Because once people see

The change of how this engages and educates and and brings these subjects to life. I think we’re going to see this really explode across America. And that’s that’s exciting because that’s I think we’re ready for that. I think communities are ready for that. I know I’ve been asked to speak in the UK because they want to decentralize composting there, because they realize they’re

paying it to get taken away and they’re paying for it to get back, that they could do so much more with getting involved at a community level themselves. So I think we’re seeing this, this is not just going to happen in America. I think this is going to happen everywhere where communities want to be part of the the plan, the action and moving forward, which we’ve neglected to make them. And I think this is something that actually

they are a part of and I think that’s what they’re going to enjoy. And I think this is going to spread. And and I hope as investors you can see that potential as well.

Issa Hanna (24:50)
Well, as an investor, you’ve opened my eyes to this and I I believe in your vision. like I said before, the landfills trash could be the community’s treasure. a true American you are, Byron, because you have created such an innovative way to tackle an American problem that we have, which is the epitome of being an American. So I I just want to throw that out there and now

To our investors who watch this, to our people at home, if they if they’re interested and they want to get a hold of you and they want to know more, where can they reach you?

Byron Irwin (25:25)
So you can either email me and it’s Byron B-Y-R-O-N @poly-canam.com You can text me because I’m sure I’m going to get too many calls. and that number is 701-446-6139. But you’re also welcome, anyone at any time, to come on site. And that

That address is sixteen sixty one Airport Road, Ozark, Arkansas. You’re more welcome to tour our facility to see it firsthand how this has made a difference.

Issa Hanna (26:02)
I love that. Sixteen sixty-one Airport Road. Come put eyes on it. The proof is in the pudding. The innovator of it is here with us. You can contact him. He will come and and and he will give you the advice and teach you what he’s created. Byron, I I’d like to thank you so much for coming on the show. Truly refreshing to have such a great revolutionary idea coming on. Usually we’re we’re just talking numbers and we’re just talking

SFRs and LTRs and you know, so so I I love this. this was so refreshing. So thank you so much for coming out.

Byron Irwin (26:37)
Thank you for hosting me. Thank you so much.

Issa Hanna (26:39)
Appreciate you coming on and to our viewers at home, if you enjoyed my conversation with Byron, want to see more like it, make sure to hit like and subscribe. I talk to people every day that can bring us different knowledge on every aspect of the real estate industry. Until next time, *The Real Estate Pros* are out.