AN OVERVIEW OF OUR TECH
We are currently working on post-consumer metalized multi-layered plastic packaging (MLP). MLP is the least recycled type of plastic waste, and generally ends up in landfills. It is a low-value, high volume, composite waste (upto 5-6 different types of materials) that is considered economically and technically “impossible” to recycle.
We are converting this waste into high-quality materials and products. We are not fully there yet, but we are getting closer.
We have been fortunate to get some early breakthroughs in chemical separation and recycling of our target waste streams.
OUR PROCESS RESULTS IN MORE RECYCLBLE MATERIALS
In comparison to other MLP recycling processes, our’s focuses on material extraction versus end-of-life recycling. But we are fans of all MLP recycling methodologies because recycling > landfilling.
OUR PROCESS IS ROBUST
Our process can handle almost all types of contaminants and almost all types of plastic waste without significantly impacting final product. This includes not only metalized MLP, but also other types of plastics and flexible packaging including TetraPak, coloured PET bottles, polycotton textiles, hair, dust, tissue-paper and metalized paper plates.
We are now working on personalized / custom manufacturing techniques to convert these materials into products – starting first with sunglasses. We are probably the only people in the world making sunglasses from chips packets. We hope to launch soon!
OUR INSPIRATION FOR DESIGNING WASTE SOLUTIONS
When we read Cradle to Cradle, we were floored. Here was a philosophy that focused on humans being net positive assets to the planet, like a tree, versus “less bad” like what most environmentalists focus on today. Cradle to Cradle is not anti-carbon, it just believes carbon should be where it belongs – in the soil.
This aligned seamlessly with what we believed, formalizing a way of thinking we couldn’t formalize. So, we’ve embraced it with open arms.
These are the principles they espouse:
WASTE = FOOD
This bit really resonated with us. Yes, we are familiar with the fact that nothing is “waste”, but what’s even more important is that different types of waste (or resources) are different types of nutrients and they belong in their own cycles. It does not make sense mixing them up into contradicting composites.
THE FRACTAL TRIANGLE
Along with that, Will McDonough and Michael Braungart also conceptualised the “fractal triangle”. They espouse that any Cradle to Cradle product or service should be at the intersection of ecology, economy and equity. We would probably rename “equity” as “equality of opportunity”, but besides that, we are all giddy with synergy.
