ucfsociety.org 15
Significant volumes of high-quality urban and community
hardwoods are available for re-use in Memphis and elsewhere.
Current Status and Lessons Learned
There have been challenges in community engagement
and project support. The initial yard site for MUW oper-
ations in North Memphis had to be abandoned due
to local opposition. The community had a long history
of exploitation and environmental injustice, where
industries brought economic promise but left behind
environmental hazards and health risks that dispropor-
tionately affected communities of color. Previous neglect
of community needs contributed to resident concerns
about how their community would be redeveloped.
Today, a new site has been found and the project
goal is to create a zero-waste facility focused on
products that can be made from high-volume/
low value materials such as biochar and dimen-
sional lumber for thermally modified wood.
Lessons learned related to community part-
nership, goods, benefits, and services:
1. Engage early with a wide diversity of com-
munity leaders and residents.
2. Advocate for inclusive funding guide-
lines that account for systemic challenges
and promote racial and social equity.
3. Diversify funding sources to include impact
funds, project-related investments, and
philanthropic organizations to build more equi-
table and sustainable communities. >>
