Innovation

Ovapac is a company that was founded with hopes of finding solutions to plastic pollution and the effects that plastic waste has on the environment. To accomplish this goal Ovapac focuses on developing a more eco-friendly alternative to plastic materials, specifically plastic bags. To achieve this they have created a biodegradable bag that substitutes for plastic bags. This product is nature-friendly and safe to be consumed by microorganisms making them biodegradable. The material is soluble in hot water meaning that instead of waiting many years for plastic bags to decompose, this bag can just be dipped into hot water once it can’t be used again. This alternative bag helps solve the UN SDGS of Life on land and also life below the water, since it helps it won’t have a harsh impact on the overall environment

To create their environmentally friendly alternative bags, Ovapac has assisted the help of farmers in developing countries to gain access to the main ingredient found in their product. This crucial piece of their product is cassava starch. cassava is a root vegetable found in South America and East Asia.It is traditionally used as food and medicine. Overpac chose to incorporate Cassava in their bags because cassava is a renewable resource with a low carbon impact on the environment. It is a key part of biodegradable bag production. By incorporating Cassava as an ingredient in their productions the bags created

Photography of camels eating plastic waste taken from: https://www.khaleejtimes.com/environment/50-camel-deaths-in-uae-caused-by-plastic-consumption-dubai-executive-council

Inspiration

Ovapac by Green Ruya, a pioneering Saudi Arabian company, was founded on the vision of its CEO, Saud Abalkhail. The business's founder began by discussing the significant impact that plastic trash has on local wildlife, particularly "camels, which hold a special place in" Saudi Arabia's cultural history. Plastic bags dumped in towns sometimes end up in the ocean or in the middle of the desert, where camels and other animals can ingest them. This can have not only devastating effects for the animal's health, but also result in their awful deaths. This unfortunate reality, combined with Saud's strong regard for the environment and traditional values, prompted him to take action against plastic pollution.

Saud founded a company that would not only safeguard the environment but also benefit the local population, inspired by the Saudi government's significant emphasis on sustainability, particularly the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Ovapac, in collaboration with foreign suppliers and various local firms, created an innovative and unique solution. These clever biodegradable bags, which degrade in 180 days, are able to conserve the desert ecosystem while reducing plastic trash.

Ovapac has now evolved into a strong example of sustainable business both in Saudi Arabia and worldwide. Thanks to excellent leadership, Ovapac's biodegradable bags demonstrate how to respect cultural history while addressing with global environmental issues.

Overall impact

Ovapac’s biodegradable cassava bags are transforming environmental conservation efforts in Saudi Arabia. These bags were created to replace single-use plastics, which have been causing serious harm to local wildlife, especially camels that accidentally eat plastic waste. The founder of Ovapac was inspired by his Bedouin heritage and the Saudi Green Initiative to create a solution that addresses a pressing environmental issue while honoring traditional values of sustainability. Made from cassava starch, these bags naturally break down in about six months, leaving no harmful residues behind. “We developed the cassava bags and introduced them to the market, targeting international hotels and restaurants in Riyadh.”

In the short term, this innovation has reduced plastic waste and helped protect animals. The bags have gained popularity with consumers and local businesses who appreciate that they’re supporting an environmentally friendly option with cultural meaning. By sourcing cassava from farmers in developing countries, Ovapac also provides an economic boost beyond Saudi Arabia, creating a positive impact on a global scale.

As the initiative progresses, Ovapac’s founder hopes to begin growing cassava locally, which would help create jobs and reduce reliance on imported materials. This initiative is more than just a new product. It is about reconnecting with cultural roots and finding modern solutions to today’s challenges. Ovapac’s biodegradable bags show how sustainability can be closely linked to cultural pride and responsibility, setting an example for other businesses in the region.

Business benefit

The “Ova Bag Initiative” benefits Ovapac because their product is unlike any others in the area. In the interview conducted it was explained that cassava, the “secret weapon” for their bags, is not something that is native to Saudi Arabia. Due to that, the material would be scarce which would discourage many competitors from entering the market and allowing Ovapac to be in a unique situation within the disposable bag market of Saudi Arabia. The lack of competition somewhat gives them a monopoly in the area and allows Ovapac to be able to run their company how they want to and not be in a constant competition with others.

In addition to the distinctive features of their bags, the “Ova Bag Initiative” has grown the potential customer base for Ovapac. Consumers are becoming increasingly conscious about the impact the products they buy have on the environment with almost 50% of all consumers opting for more sustainable products when given the choice. They are also willing to pay for it, as studies show that in the world today, the average consumer is willing to pay an extra 10% for a product that would have less impact on the environment. Lucky for Ovapac, their casava bags provide consumers all over the planet with exactly what they are looking for. Many people may be discouraged to consume plastic bags as they have an incredibly negative impact on the environment but the cassava bags would increase potential consumers of Ovapac’s bag as it would encourage people to still enjoy the benefits given to people from plastic bags without the negatives that plastic bags do to the environment.

Social and environmental benefit

The CEO of Ovapac stated in the interview that the hope for the legacy of this ‘Ova Bag Initiative’ is that the initiative “will be a sustainable shift in consumption and production patterns."  If it were to come into fruition, this legacy would mean great things for society as it would cause people and businesses alike to become more aware of the products they are producing and buying. This shift in the plastic bag market may potentially set the precedent in all markets to encourage everyone involved to have an even further emphasis on sustainability. Additionally, the Ovapac bags benefit the health of the users because their bags have no microplastics for their users to consume.

Environmentally, Ovapac has a tremendous number of benefits, some of which being that their bags help limit the trash placed in the landfill as they are biodegradable and compostable. The reduction of plastic waste provides much less pollution in the surrounding deserts and environment of Ovapac in Saudi Arabia, the bags instead decompose and provide nutrition for the soil. They are also soluble in water which would aid in calming the growing concerns of the destruction of marine life. These bags are additionally non-toxic so if the bags do end up being dissolved in the Saudi Arabian waters they would not be contaminated with toxins. furthering the benefit that the casava bags provide to the environment of not just Saudi Arabia, but the whole world.

Interview

Saud Abalkhail, Founder and CEO of Ovapac.sa.