This past April 25th, thirty-eight small businesses heeded the invitation to participate in the National Park Service Mini Trade Fair in Denver, Colorado. This unique opportunity was provided by the Denver Service Center of the National Park Service and have Harmony Enterprises the opportunity to showcase the possibilities with Waste & Recycling in our National Parks, especially in regards to Solar Powered Trash Compactors.
Answering the Call
The lone industrial manufacturer invited to attend the Mini Trade Fair was Harmony Enterprises, a third generation, family-owned manufacturer of waste and recycling equipment based in Harmony, MN. Although Harmony has long been recognized as a global solutions provider of quality balers, compactors, beverage extraction, and full product destruction equipment, they are less known to the government for the innovative products and services they provide their private sector customers. Harmony Enterprises also excels in wireless monitoring systems, customer service software, and solar powered options. It is the Solar Powered Compactors that garnished the attention of the National Park Service.
Passion for Recycling & Waste Innovations
Five years ago, Harmony Enterprises’ team identified the need for a new and innovative way to manage waste and recycling in our nation’s parks. These problems are well documented in the NPS’s Call to Action and Green Parks Plan as well by many other media outlets. The traditional method of utilizing open-top containers that are emptied on a regular schedule by haulers is expensive and contributes to the problems of overflowing trash, excessive carbon emission, noise pollution, excessive odor, waste leakage, and animal nuisances. It also creates safety risks and a decreased aesthetic experience for park visitors.
Solar Waste & Recycling in our National Parks
Harmony’s innovative solution to this problem was to create a solar powered option for their 2HP outdoor compactors and balers. Harmony’s SunPak Solar Options provide an amazing 4:1 compaction ratio that allows parks to replace open containers at the rate of one compactor per eight (3 cubic yard size) dumpsters.
This means that the compactor would not fill up as quickly as traditional dumpsters and would thus require up to 75% fewer pick-ups by haulers. This saves the NPS considerable money and reduces carbon emissions emitted from the hauling trucks.
With Harmony SunPak, park employees will spend less time managing multiple open top containers and can spend more of their valuable time on other park related projects that deserve their attention. The machines are safe, easy to operate, and are equipped with “keylock” controls to prevent unauthorized operation. Harmony machines also have safety switches that disable the equipment when the loading door is open, preventing injury.
Benefits of SunPak Solar Trash Compactors
The possible implementation of Harmony Enterprises’ SunPak Solar Compactors and Balers by the National Park Service supports their commitment to “Go Green”, as well 
as other agency-wide goals by:
- Continuously Improving Environmental Performance
- Being Climate Friendly and Climate Ready
- Being Energy Smart
- Buying Green and Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling
- Preserving Outdoor Experiences
- Strengthening Sustainability Partnerships
- Greening Park Grounds
The data collected from the original SunPak Solar Compactor located at Harmony’s manufacturing facility has offered astounding validation of the equipment’s capability in extreme climates. Other past performances on the west coast are further evidence of SunPak’s reliability, durability, and efficiency.
Harmony Enterprises National Sales Manager, Nick Roberts, and New Business Development Manager, Lane Powell, used the Mini Trade Fair’s exposure to share the Harmony story with the NPS. Through this new product awareness campaign, Harmony hopes to help the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior create greener, more sustainable parks for generations to come.
If you would like to learn more about SunPak solar options, or any of Harmony Enterprises other innovative products, please Contact Us or call (507) 886-6666.
More about the National Park Service Mini Trade Fair in Denver
Navigating a successful bid on a project with the government can be unfamiliar territory for many businesses. Small business owners know that it can be difficult to have their products or services showcased to the right audience at the right moment. Often times, larger companies with greater marketing budgets, capability statements, and networking experience have the distinct advantage when it comes to acquiring project leads and opportunities.
On April 25th, 2017, thirty-eight small businesses heeded the invitation to participate in the National Park Service Mini Trade Fair in Denver, Colorado. This unique opportunity was provided by the Denver Service Center of the National Park Service. Participating businesses consisted of design, engineering, and construction firms, as well as one industrial manufacturer. All of them have small business certification with the US Government and many are classified as 8a, meaning they are owned and controlled by at least 51% by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
The trade fair featured two keynote speakers, an opportunity for networking amongst all participants, and an audience with National Park Service Contracting Officers. In addition, the afternoon session provided educational opportunities for small and disadvantaged businesses to learn how to create effective proposals to the government.
Each session focused on the need for businesses to provide unique, differentiating solutions that fill a distinct need gap for the Park Service. Successful procurement of projects directly correlates to a company’s ability to demonstrate their passion for the project, their innovative solutions, and their ability to complete projects on time and under budget.
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