Last week's inauguration in the USA marks a transition in direction, policies and leadership of the country. Amongst the announcements, one message is clear: local manufacturing holds the key to economic strength, job creation, and resilience against global disruptions.

Since ChopValue’s humble beginnings, our hyper-local approach to manufacturing served as a strong pathway to bring sustainability, innovation and a viable approach to circularity to cities across North America. Despite rising costs of raw materials and unpredictable supply chains in most businesses, our unique approach to locally harvesting under-utilized resources to produce and distribute directly in the cities and states we operate allow us to address  the challenges faced by the manufacturing sector today, while delivering tangible benefits for the economy, the workforce, and the environment.

Empowering Local Manufacturing and Job Creation

The US manufacturing sector lost over 5 million jobs between 2000 and 2017, leaving a significant gap in the country’s industrial base.

ChopValue Microfactory

By operating Microfactories across the U.S., we’re revitalizing skilled trades, woodworking and sustainable production. Through our growing microfactory network, we are committed to developing and investing in the capacity of local carpenters, machinists, and other skilled professionals to strengthen the foundation of manufacturing and grow the pool of tradeworkers bringing sustainable innovation to market.

The National Association of Manufacturers notes that every $1 million invested in sustainable manufacturing creates 25–35 local jobs . We are proud to be a part of this - with our current operations, we generate 50–100 local jobs in production, processing, and distribution in 2025 alone, with hundreds more as we scale nationwide.

Reducing Imports and Mitigating Tariffs

Many companies are starting to question the resilience of their supply chain and the impact of impending tariffs on their ability to source raw materials. In 2023, the U.S. imported over $230 billion in raw materials and industrial supplies, highlighting the country’s reliance on global supply chains.

Decentralized Manufacturing - ChopValue's Hyperlocal Concept

Our business model is focused on hyper-local sourcing - this focus of harvesting underutilized resources from community partners directly in the cities where we manufacture, uniquely positions us to scale our production and positive impact regardless of tariffs and trade concerns.   To date, we have collected over 200 million chopsticks and turned them into functional products, all the while avoiding  more than 9.7 million kg of CO2e emissions that would otherwise be released with the use of virgin resources — our operations showcase how waste can be transformed into a valuable resource. By turning local waste streams into high-quality products, we’re fostering self-reliance and promoting sustainability within the manufacturing industry.

Advancing Technology and Innovation

We believe that innovation and circularity are key to the success and growth of manufacturing. This aligns with the incoming administration's mandate which emphasizes the importance of innovation in technology and manufacturing. 

ChopValue

We’re proving that using sustainability as our foundation allows us to push boundaries and revolutionize in traditional industries. Every Microfactory features custom-built machinery designed to optimize recycling processes and produce high-value products. This investment enables us to scale efficiently while maintaining our commitment to environmental responsibility and creating meaningful progress.

Building a Sustainable Future Through Local Manufacturing

Our Microfactories demonstrate how local manufacturing and responsible resource use can be powerful drivers of economic progress. Looking ahead, we’re committed to expanding our impact by targeting development areas, states and urban centers from coast to coast. This year, we’re setting our sights on the Heartlands around Fort Wayne, Chicago, Indianapolis, and Detroit as well as California including Los Angeles and San Francisco, nearby Seattle as well as Honolulu as key locations for near term expansion.

By integrating circular economy principles with advanced manufacturing, we’re revitalizing the US manufacturing sector and leading the way with a network of local factories that drive innovation, sustainability, and economic resilience. Together, we can build a manufacturing sector that creates progress while making a lasting, positive impact on the planet for future generations.

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