Breakthrough Ideas 2006

In its 7,000 year history, the humble paver brick hasn’t evolved much. Eden Prairie–based Vast Enterprises plans to change that by introducing the first brick made out of 99 percent recycled materials. The result is a far lighter, less expensive, and environmentally friendly product.

Consumers have caught onto the notion of using recycled and “green” materials in their homes, whether it’s decking made of recycled plastic or sustainable products like bamboo floors. Additionally, many government agencies now require construction companies to use environmentally friendly products. But the market had no options for masonry products made from recycled goods, explains CFO Andy Vander Woude. 

Vast Enterprises makes its bricks from recycled tires and milk jugs. “Last year, 400 million scraps of car tires and 22 billion plastic bottles were placed in U.S. landfills,” says Vander Woude. “This is an innovative use to reclaim products out of landfills.”

Beyond the environmental benefits, Vast Enterprises’ product has other advantages. Traditional paver bricks are made from concrete and clay, so they are extremely heavy and expensive to ship. The bricks are also time-consuming to install. Vast Enterprises’ Lego-like installation system makes the bricks easy to install and maintain. The pavers’ plastic material makes them light yet hardy, weather resistant, and moisture repellent; they also come in a variety of colors and shapes.

The team at Vast Enterprises includes Steve Thorkelson and Troy Achterkirch, who together have nearly 40 years of experience in the plastics industry, and George Solnitzky, who recently retired after 30 years in construction and real estate. The only full-time employee of Vast, Solnitzky is working on building the company’s distribution network. 

As of yet, Vast Enterprises has been self-funded by the four founders, who work full-time in demanding jobs outside of their start-up. The company is now seeking capital to begin executing its sales and marketing plans nationally in both commercial and residential markets.

“Too often, it seems like when we choose environmentally friendly products there is a downside. With our composite paver, we’ve developed something that’s a win-win,” says Vander Woude. “It’s a win for the earth, for construction companies that are now being required to use environmentally friendly products, and for consumers. There is nothing customers have to give up on.”