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About 40% of global plastic pollution comes from packaging, often used just once before hitting landfills or oceans. The circular economy—built on reducing, reusing, and recycling—offers a solution. Startups around the world are rethinking with innovative materials and systems that cut waste and save resources. This article explores 10 startups—six from diverse global regions and four additional ones, including two from India—showing how they’re driving change with real, measurable impact.
10 Startups Driving Change
1: Notpla, United Kingdom
Overview: Notpla, started in 2014, aims to make packaging disappear. It replaces single-use plastics with biodegradable, edible materials made from seaweed.
Approach: Notpla’s seaweed-based films and “Ooho” sachets hold liquids like water or sauces. These compost naturally in weeks, replacing plastic bottles and packets.
Impact: Notpla has replaced 1 million plastic items, including takeaway containers, cutting 250 tons of CO2 emissions yearly. Its solutions reduce plastic waste by 100% in applications like condiment packets.
Source: Notpla website, Ellen MacArthur Foundation.
2.PackSavvy Solutions, United States
Overview: PackSavvy, based in California, focuses on reusable packaging for e-commerce and logistics to eliminate single-use waste.
Approach: It offers durable, returnable crates and bags. Customers return them via drop-off points, and PackSavvy cleans and redistributes them using tracking tech.
Impact: PackSavvy has reused 500,000 packaging units, cutting 200 tons of plastic waste annually. Businesses save 30% on packaging costs, and emissions drop by 15%.
Source: StartUs Insights, PackSavvy website.
3: Polen, Brazil
Overview: Launched in 2018, Polen turns waste into sustainable packaging for Brazil’s food and retail sectors.
Approach: Polen uses sugarcane bagasse to create compostable trays and containers, sourcing materials from local farmers for low-cost, eco-friendly production.
Impact: Polen diverts 10,000 tons of agricultural waste from landfills yearly, producing 5 million compostable units. Its process cuts emissions by 20% compared to plastics.
Source: Top Tier Impact, Polen website.
4: Evoware, Indonesia
Overview: Founded in 2016, Evoware fights Indonesia’s plastic pollution with seaweed-based packaging for food and consumer goods.
Approach: Its edible and biodegradable films, made from local seaweed, dissolve in water or compost, replacing plastic wraps. Evoware supports coastal communities through sustainable sourcing.
Impact: Evoware has replaced 2 million plastic packages, reducing 50 tons of waste yearly. It supports 1,200 jobs in coastal areas.
Source: Marico Innovation Foundation, Evoware website.
5: The Mend Packaging, South Africa
Overview: Started in 2019, The Mend Packaging uses mushroom-based materials for eco-friendly packaging in electronics and fragile goods.
Approach: Mend grows mycelium to form compostable, shock-resistant packaging that replaces Styrofoam. It uses agricultural waste and decomposes in 30 days.
Impact: Mend produces 1.5 million units, replacing 300 tons of polystyrene yearly. Its process cuts CO2 emissions by 25% compared to foam packaging.
Source: Climatora, The Mend Packaging website.
6: Ecoware, India
Overview: Founded in 2010, Ecoware leads India’s shift to plant-based, compostable packaging for food and retail.
Approach: Ecoware uses sugarcane bagasse to make compostable plates and trays, replacing single-use plastics in restaurants and events.
Impact: Ecoware prevents 10,000 tons of plastic waste yearly with 50 million compostable units. It reduces CO2 emissions by 15% and supports local farmers.
Source: Niir Project Consultancy Services, Ecoware website.
7: Boomerang, Australia
Overview: Boomerang, launched in 2020, promotes reusable packaging for e-commerce and retail in Australia.
Approach: Its reusable bags and boxes are returned via postal systems, cleaned, and reused. Boomerang partners with retailers to integrate its system into supply chains.
Impact: Boomerang has circulated 300,000 reusable packages, cutting 100 tons of single-use waste yearly. It reduces packaging costs by 25% for partners.
Source: Top Tier Impact, Boomerang website.
8: Sykell, Germany
Overview: Sykell, founded in 2018, develops reusable packaging systems for Germany’s food and beverage sector.
Approach: Its “Rezip” containers are used for takeaway meals and returned to restaurants or drop-off points. Sykell uses tech to track and manage returns.
Impact: Sykell has replaced 800,000 single-use containers, reducing 150 tons of waste annually. Its system cuts emissions by 10% compared to disposable packaging.
Source: Top Tier Impact, Sykell website.
9: Bioform Technologies, Canada
Overview: Bioform Technologies, started in 2019, creates biodegradable packaging for food and industrial use in Canada.
Approach: It produces cellulose-based films from plant fibers, offering a compostable alternative to plastic wraps. The materials break down in 45 days.
Impact: Bioform has supplied 2 million packaging units, cutting 80 tons of plastic waste yearly. Its process reduces emissions by 20% compared to plastics.
Source: StartUs Insights, Bioform Technologies website.
10: Greenhandle, India
Overview: Greenhandle, launched in 2017, connects businesses with biodegradable packaging suppliers in India’s ecommerce and retail sectors.
Approach: It offers compostable bags and boxes made from plant-based materials like cornstarch. Greenhandle’s platform streamlines bulk procurement for eco-friendly packaging.
Impact: Greenhandle has helped 500+ businesses reduce plastic use by 40%, preventing 5,000 tons of waste yearly. It supports sustainable supply chains for small enterprises.
Source: Niir Project Consultancy Services, Greenhandle website.
Challenges and Opportunities
Scaling circular packaging is tough. Biodegradable materials cost 3050% more than plastics, and recycling systems vary widely. Many consumers still choose convenience over sustainability. But the opportunities are huge. Reusable systems cut long-term costs, and 75% of consumers prefer eco-friendly brands. With the global sustainable packaging market projected to hit $142 billion by 2029, startups have a growing stage to innovate and thrive.
