Welcome!
I grew up in this industry, watching my father build and scale his business with integrity and care. Before founding Golden Bear Companies, I was deeply immersed in competitive ice hockey and lacrosse, reaching the collegiate Division I level. These sports instilled in me the importance of drive and teamwork, reinforcing my family’s values and teaching me that truly great accomplishments are achieved together. Today, our company’s success is a testament to the exceptional individuals who make up Golden Bear.
The name Golden Bear holds special significance. Gold and white are culturally important colors in my family’s roots in Kerala, India, symbolizing our commitment to impeccable standards. The bear, our mascot, represents strength and loyalty. Partnership, integrity, unity, expertise, and innovation are the core values that drive us and have rapidly established us as industry leaders.
We are dedicated to providing products and services that not only meet our customers’ needs but also contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future. Our passion for reducing waste and championing recyclable materials underlines our mission: do more with less.
Personally, I am committed to empowering our team by equipping them with the tools, resources, and opportunities necessary for their growth and excellence. This enables us to deliver outstanding results to our partners and customers.
We are always seeking new partnerships on our journey toward a more sustainable, waste-free world. Your belief in Golden Bear has been instrumental in our journey, and we thank you for joining us in this important mission.
Warm regards,
David Chakola
President/CEO Golden Bear Recycling, Industries & Environmental
Managing Partner Golden Bear International
David Chakola
President/CEO Golden Bear Recycling, Industries & Environmental
Managing Partner Golden Bear International
Our Purpose
We pioneer innovative waste, recycling and manufacturing solutions to foster a circular economy and promote the transition from single-use plastics to sustainable, renewable packaging solutions.
Our Story
The family of our founder, David Chakola, has owned and operated 100% recycled paper mills since the late 1980s. David saw an opportunity to capitalize on an underserved sector of the paper mill business; today, it is the largest paper-based producer of 100% recycled building and roofing papers in North America.
David’s experience, knowledge, and passion for entrepreneurship paved the way for the creation of Golden Bear Companies. His in-depth understanding of the procurement side of the recycled commodities, sustainable packaging, and transportation industries brought forth a necessary solution to market. First, Golden Bear Recycling was established to address the fragmented recycling market and deliver high-quality service at scale. Shortly after came Golden Bear International,Golden Bear Industries, and most recently Golden Bear Environmental — forming a full-service solution to the industry’s biggest challenges, all under one roof.
As Golden Bear has grown in scale, so have our capabilities across our companies. What still remains true, though, is our vision to create the gold standard in recycling, material and waste management, and sustainable packaging, raising the bar to the highest levels possible across each of these industries. Our humble beginnings have led us to countless opportunities to create value for our customers, our team, and our planet for generations to come.
Our Values
Our values define our purpose, culture, and operations. They are championed by our people, who are the heart of our company and the foundation of our success.
The Heart of Golden Bear: Our People
Our Culture
Partnership, Unity, and Innovation
Our Culture
We believe in a culture that promotes collaboration (whether with our own team or industry peers), building long-lasting relationships through trust and communication. We celebrate unity and belonging across all levels and teams. We are committed to reimagining and discovering new technologies to serve our greater purpose of minimizing waste, utilizing fewer resources, and promoting the well-being of our employees, customers, suppliers, and the planet.
Unity
A foundational principle that guides the Golden Bear Companies’ culture is our team-oriented mentality. A feeling of oneness, wholeness and unity is what we aim to provide to all members of our organization.
Innovation
Every day, we commit ourselves to reimagining and discovering new technologies, products, practices and services that feed a closed loop system utilizing less resources and minimizing waste, and all in a way that benefits the wellbeing of our employees, customers, suppliers, communities and planet as a whole.
Partnership
Collaboration is at the core of our culture, whether that be with our own team or industry peers. We strive to maintain open, honest relationships that are built on trust and communication. We work to build systems that fortify long term relationships and create solutions that enhance and deliver value for all parties at the table. Our partnerships are without-a-doubt our greatest achievements.
Our Certifications
