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July 11, 2018 | By Cole Hatcher

Jack Foley '22 has launched a company that transforms recycled plastic into cellphone cases. A portion of his profits aid Haitian children who are forced to help collect the plastic to ensure their family’s economic security. (Photo courtesy of Jack Foley)

An Entrepreneurial Calling

Ohio Wesleyan Student Uses Recycled Plastic to Create Cellphone Cases, Benefit Haiti

Answering the siren call to become an entrepreneur, Jack Foley ’22 recently launched ReYuze Cases, a company that creates and sells cellphone cases made of plastic recycled from the streets, canals, and landfills of Haiti.

Foley, who grew up in North Potomac, Maryland, says he has been designing the company since 2016 and was excited to launch it in April.

“I have done everything from the bookkeeping to the infrastructure and supply-chain management,” he says, which includes finding the plastics supplier and the Maryland-based case manufacturer.

ReYuze Cases was created to help save the oceans, says Foley, who considers himself a lifelong advocate for environmental conservation. But he also is pleased now to be supporting Haitian children and families who collect and recycle plastic for their economic stability and well-being.

In addition to buying the recycled plastic, Foley also contributes $1 from the sale of every ReYuze Case to The First Mile Coalition, a nonprofit organization that helps the Haitian children with healthcare needs and other issues. His efforts were featured in a July 6 news article posted by Recycling International.

When he joins Ohio Wesleyan University in August, Foley plans to major in business administration with a concentration in marketing. The new Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School graduate also will be one of Ohio Wesleyan’s 2018-2019 Economic Management Fellows, a group of students selected for their high potential for success at OWU and their interest in business-related studies.

Foley says he is confident his OWU experience will help him to achieve his career goals.

“ReYuze Cases isn't going to stop at phone cases,” Foley says. “The practicality of plastic is what caused the floating plastic/trash mass in the oceans. However, it also allows ReYuze to make anything that is currently made from virgin plastics out of recycled plastic.

“Originally I chose to attend OWU because of the football program,” he says. “I later discovered the amazing team of professors and administration. … With OWU by my side, I believe anything is possible.

“My long-term career goals,” he says, “is to surpass the generic ‘I want to be a CEO.’ I want to be a CEO that changes the world for the better – think Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Steve Jobs.”

Learn more about ReYuze Cases at www.reyuzecases.com and more about Ohio Wesleyan’s business and economics-related majors at www.owu.edu/businessadministration.