Innovation

Combating the disastrous consumption of conventional petroleum based plastics is embedded in BecauseWeCare’s business operations. The firm has dedicated research and development teams revolving around bioplastic technology.

The company’s compostable plastics are made from polymer resin, primarily consisting of cornstarch. It is developed in a way that has similar characteristics to that of conventional plastic bags. The organic plant materials in their bioplastic mean that these plastics beaks down within 45 days -90 days. Toward the end of the life of the plastic when it is placed in compost bins, these plastics have been proven to have no harmful after effects on soil in the degradation process.

Essentially, BecauseWeCare’s innovation is embedded in their business. The company only sells biodegradable compostable products. They encourage businesses to have compostable and biodegradable substitutes rather than regular plastic bags. In effect, it allows the company’s innovation to be scalable in the way their products are distributed worldwide.

“Our whole company, is around the development and promotion of products that don’t harm the environment, and if possible, deliver a benefit not just for people involved in the company but for the greater community” - Andrew Cove (Head of Sales and Marketing department)

Inspiration

In regards to BecauseWeCare’s innovation, Andrew Cove states: “ The Managing Director Kenny Lay, a man that came to Australia as a refugee from East Timor back in the 1970s, developed a business where he felt that he owed it to society to put something back in, and he came across the concept of compostable biodegradable products”.

The founder aimed to target society’s reliance on wasteful single use plastic bags and the proposed outcome was a sustainable and affordable product that can be made accessible to the public.

Overall impact

The impact of BecauseWeCare’s innovation can be exhibited in the way their efforts contribute to United Nations Sustainable Goals including:

· Goal 11 Sustainable cities and communities

· Goal 12 Responsible consumption & production

· Goal 13 Climate action

· Goal 14 Life below water

· Goal 15 Life on land

· Goal 17 Partnerships for the goals

BecauseWeCare’s compostable plastics improve resource use and helps reduce pollution. It allows global communities to advance socially and economically as they benefit from increased social awareness related to the use of plastics. BecauseWeCare also promotes Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals. This can be seen through their actions of partnering with Target to have their plastics within the retailers. Target Australia removed plastic shopping bags from all stores nationwide, instead offering a Because We Care Biodegradable bag. This has successfully removed more than 100 million traditional shopping bags that may have gone to landfill. In addition the company was able to attain a waste bin liner contract with Penrith City Council in NSW and now supplies biodegradable bin liners to all 51,000 households as part of their waste management and reduction initiative.

Business benefit

For the business itself, the product helps generate revenue and helps them remain profitable. BecauseWeCare has become successful enough to now be able to operate globally. From 2010 onwards, the company has opened offices in Hong Kong. According to Andrew Cove, from a business-to-business perspective, their product “gives other businesses a chance to show the wider community that they can have an everyday product that doesn’t have to be detrimental in its development, manufacture or it’s end life”. Ultimately, the company’s aim is to keep costs at a minimum to encourage businesses and customers to be environmentally responsible at the lowest cost possible.

Social and environmental benefit

In addition to the environmental benefits that BecauseWeCare’s products have on United Nation’s Sustainable Development goals, the company also has educational programs. These educational programs inform businesses and consumers the impact that plastics have on the environment. These programs ultimately aim to teach people to be more environmentally aware.

Interview

Andrew Cove, Head of Sales and Marketing