Change Makers is series of interviews with people famous and obscure who are creating a more sustainable world through their work. Meet more Change Makers here.
Image courtesy Matt Grigsby/Ecolect
As CEO and co-founder of Ecolect, an online database of environmentally friendly materials, Matt Grigsby combines his passion for industrial design, entrepreneurism, and sustainability. His firm, which oversees consulting projects for major players including LG Electronics, GM, Targus, and the Boston Children's Museum, and delves into research initiatives that help designers and architects determine just how green various materials are, and which will best suit their specific projects. A graduate of the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, Grigsby, who still calls Providence home, is chair of the EcoDesign Section for the Industrial Designers Society of America, and is also chair of IDSA's Rhode Island Chapter. Here, he talks about his green design heroes, the importance of community, and how a trip to the landfill changed his design approach forever.
How did you get into this line of work?
In 2003 I was working on a transportation project with a GM-owned brand in France. It was hard to see why designers and engineers were not considering sustainability in their projects at that time. By neglecting the environment, companies were losing out on customers and missing opportunities to actually increase profits.
What was your "a-ha" moment?
While studying industrial design at the Rhode Island School of Design, students are required to take a class called Manufacturing Techniques. Toward the end of the semester, our class had a trip to the landfill. It opened my eyes to the negative impacts of design and forever changed my approach.
Who is your green hero?
I've always looked up to figures such as Cameron Sinclair and William McDonough. These leaders are having a remarkable impact by providing inspirational and influential stances on environmental solutions.
What is your ultimate green goal?
Ecolect's Materials Petting Zoo, Green Box, and Materials Nutrition Label are all contributing to our ultimate goal.We provide services and tools to designers and businesses, which aid and educate them in making environmentally sound products and decisions.
What is your motivation?
It's satisfying to add value to companies facing tough environmental challenges. We love to work with businesses that are environmental leaders taking action and want to serve as an example for others to follow.
What is most important to you, ecologically speaking?
From our perspective, every company has different challenges. We achieve success in our projects by using tools such as life cycle analysis and market research to assess and decide on the most important and feasible environmental opportunities.
What is the most challenging part of your job?
There's a lot of work to do as companies are preparing to and investing in environmental initiatives and improvements. Not surprisingly, half of our work is creating the right mindset and language to help people to take action.
What is the most rewarding?
Successfully working with businesses to educate them and help them to create their own environmental programs. These programs can function internally, externally or both.
Of the people you have worked with, who impresses you most?
TheRightEnvironment is an LCA firm based in Austin with whom we work closely with. Its founder, Joep Meijer, is a chemist originally from the Netherlands who has more than 10 successful years of experience in the field. He has taught us an incredible amount about using technical data for material sourcing and product design.
What green thing do you do everyday?
I'm actively engaged with the design community in Providence, Rhode Island, where Ecoloct is headquartered. In addition to the material aspects of the environment, I believe that social sustainability is needed.
What do you wish you could do?
To be part of a excellent leadership group that helps communities, governments, and corporations define sustainable leadership within a community. It would be wonderful for this group to be a core think tank for leaders such as President Obama.
What is your biggest eco-sin?
Whenever I take a plane for client work or presentations, the environmental impact gets to me. Making the most of trips when traveling has been one way I've found to address this.
If you could change one thing in the world, what would it be?
The transportation infrastructure in the United States is in desperate need of help. We would love to work on products and systems which address the negative environmental impacts of transit.
What is your best green advice?
As Benjamin Franklin once said, "The only thing more expensive than education is ignorance." As the costs of materials, transportation, food, and health increase, the well-positioned companies with foresight will excel and hold a strong advantage, others with little planning will recede or go under.
