CleanTech
Creating products using more sustainable methods is a challenge many people are trying to tackle. On Tuesday evening we heard from several exceptional individuals working on such initiatives.
Speaker 1: Rui Peng from Critical
Rui is a husband, father, entrepreneur, architect by training and a creative technologist by necessity. He is the co-founder of Critical. a company solving New Zealand's plastic stockpiling problem by transforming plastic waste into compelling products. They do this by partnering with significant NZ brands to turn their plastic waste into marketable products they can use and sell through their Critical. Plastic Product Stewardship programme.
Rui is driven to align his deepest desire with the world's deepest need, using design & technology to solve society's biggest problems. Rui has built communities, mentored young people in design and business, rallied the people through his TEDx discussion and helped significant NZ commercial brands and ministries design their future as also Design and Innovation Manager with Ernst & Young.
Speaker 2: Carli van Zyl from Kelp Save The World
Carli van Zyl is Co-Founder of Kelp Save The World, who won the inaugural Climate X Sprint hosted by the NZ Climate Leaders Coalition. They are working to establish a seaweed industry which could switch Aoteoroa from fossil fuels to this ecologically positive renewable resource.
The company is also actively undertaking research on seaweed as a source of bio-energy, bio-plastics, and natural fiber. KSTW believes seaweed is a triple threat against climate change, and sees New Zealand’s role in the global industry (with the 9th largest global Economic Exclusion Zone) as an exciting opportunity for both the local economy and the environment.
As a chemist-turned biotechnology-entrepreneur, Carli recently exited a pharma based startup in the USA and has come back to New Zealand to focus on high impact technologies. She is passionate about seaweed as an ecological solution with particular interest in its ability to sequester carbon from our atmosphere.
Speaker 3: Kevin Graham from Friendlypak
Kevin Graham is a plastics and packing engineer. He's also a serial entrepreneur and founder of Friendlypak, a company pioneering compostable and sustainable products to address the growing waste, pollution and litter issues.
Friendlypak is a Triple Bottom Line company (Profit, Planet, People), aspiring to have environmental and social impact in New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Sponsors:
Waitemata Low Carbon Network
The Waitemata Low Carbon Network is a diverse community of residents, groups and businesses passionate about making low carbon living, working and playing part of the distinct identity of central Auckland.
Popcorn Collective
The Popcorn Collective is a group of engineers and designers working to seed, support, and resource game-changing green hardware startups that are aimed at saving our planet and humanity from climate change.
Pictures and Tweets courtesy of Jason Danner.
