Innovation

ECOLLABO8 stands apart in the recycling industry through a sophisticated technological portfolio that transforms waste plastic into premium products. What began as a single recycling method has evolved into four distinct technologies that cater to different industries and applications?

Their proprietary processes include:

1. Molded Products Technology: Creates precision items like pocket mirrors, coasters, and decorative accessories from melted plastic.

2. Sheet Press Technology: Produces wood-alternative panels for furniture manufacturing, directly addressing deforestation concerns.

3. FlowMolding Extrusion: Develops UV-resistant outdoor products engineered to withstand harsh environmental conditions.

4. Extrusion Press Technology: Converts plastic waste into structural decking planks that replace traditional lumber.

The company's streamlined production process maintains material integrity throughout. Clean shredded plastic enters their specialized machinery, where it's processed into a moldable paste. This material can then be formed into various products, from furniture components to construction materials, based on client specifications.

Unlike conventional recycling that often downgrades material quality, ECOLLABO8's innovations preserve and enhance plastic's durability and application potential, positioning waste as a valuable resource rather than a liability. This quality preservation is crucial to creating products that can compete with traditional materials on both performance and price points.

Inspiration

ECOLLABO8 emerged from founder Kevin's direct encounter with Bali's escalating plastic crisis. Witnessing the island's once-pristine beaches increasingly defiled by plastic waste, Kevin identified both an environmental emergency and a business opportunity. This firsthand experience with pollution in a world-renowned tourist destination catalyzed his determination to create a viable solution.

With an engineering background and environmental commitment, Kevin envisioned a solution that would address waste management while creating value. The company's founding principle, that waste should never be wasted, guides its operations and expansion strategy. This philosophy represents a fundamental shift from seeing plastic as disposable to viewing it as a valuable resource with untapped potential.

The endeavour gained momentum from community stakeholders, including local residents, environmental advocates, and tourism industry representatives concerned about the long-term sustainability of Bali's natural environment. Their collective voice emphasized the urgency of addressing waste management challenges in ways that would support both ecological health and economic prosperity.

ECOLLABO8 represents a response to these collective concerns, offering a practical approach to preserving both ecological integrity and economic vitality in a region where tourism and natural beauty are inextricably linked.

Overall impact

ECOLLABO8 has achieved measurable environmental outcomes since its inception, having recycled over 133,000 pounds (approximately 60,000 kilograms) of plastic waste since March 2022 alone. At peak capacity, the company processes 9 tons of plastic daily—material that would otherwise contaminate marine ecosystems or occupy landfill space. This volume represents significant progress in addressing Bali's waste management challenges while demonstrating the scalability of their approach.

The company's impact extends beyond waste diversion to include prevention of deforestation and reduction of carbon emissions. By creating viable alternatives to wood products, ECOLLABO8 helps preserve forest resources. Additionally, by recycling plastics rather than allowing them to decompose in landfills or be incinerated, the company prevents the release of greenhouse gases associated with these disposal methods.

These operations align strategically with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals:

• Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Creating meaningful employment throughout the recycling value chain

• Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure): Advancing materials science and recycling technology

• Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities): Reducing urban plastic waste accumulation

• Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production): Promoting circular economy principles

• Goal 13 (Climate Action): Minimizing carbon emissions from waste decomposition and incineration

The comprehensive nature of these impacts demonstrates how integrated solutions can address multiple environmental and social challenges simultaneously, creating cascading benefits throughout ecological systems and communities.

Business benefit

ECOLLABO8's sustainability focus has translated into compelling business advantages. Their eco-friendly product line has secured market share among architects, designers, and businesses seeking environmentally responsible materials. This positioning has enabled the company to capitalize on growing market demand for sustainable alternatives across multiple industries.

The company's competitive positioning combines environmental responsibility with economic viability. Their construction sector products, such as decking planks, start from RP 590K—significantly less expensive than comparable quality wood products. This price advantage demonstrates that sustainable materials can compete with traditional options not only on ethical grounds but also on cost-effectiveness.

This value proposition has generated several business advantages:

• Market Differentiation: Establishing ECOLLABO8 as a pioneer in sustainable materials manufacturing
• Cost Efficiency: Leveraging waste streams as low-cost raw materials while employing efficient production methods
• Brand Recognition: Recently winning the Indonesia Green Award, enhancing their reputation as sustainability leaders
• Scalable Business Model: Developing franchise and joint venture opportunities that allow for global expansion

The company's growth strategy focuses on scaling impact through business expansion. By offering franchise and joint venture opportunities worldwide, ECOLLABO8 aims to replicate their successful model in other regions facing similar waste management challenges. This approach allows for rapid scaling while creating consistent environmental benefits across diverse geographic areas.

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Social and environmental benefit

ECOLLABO8's operations generate significant social impact throughout Bali's communities, particularly among those involved in waste collection and processing. The company has created a value chain that supports informal waste collectors, providing them with stable income opportunities through consistent demand for sorted plastic materials. This economic inclusion helps professionalize aspects of the waste management sector that have traditionally operated on the margins of the formal economy.

The environmental benefits extend throughout the ecosystem. By diverting plastic from improper disposal, ECOLLABO8 reduces pollution in Bali's beaches, forests, and waterways. This preservation of natural beauty directly supports the island's tourism industry while protecting biodiversity and ecosystem health. The company's approach to waste management serves as a model for circular economy principles that can be implemented globally.

The company's contributions include:

• Supporting informal waste collectors with stable income opportunities

• Professionalizing aspects of the waste management sector

• Reducing plastic pollution in tourist areas, protecting Bali's tourism economy

• Demonstrating viable alternatives to plastic disposal

• Educating communities about waste sorting and recycling practices

ECOLLABO8's vision encompasses continued growth and expanded impact through franchising and joint venture opportunities across Indonesia and worldwide. This scaling strategy aims to replicate their successful model in other communities facing similar waste management challenges, multiplying their environmental and social benefits.

What drives ECOLLABO8's continued innovation is their commitment to providing sustainable alternatives across diverse applications. From small consumer products like shirt buttons to large construction materials like decking, the company constantly explores new ways to replace non-sustainable materials with recycled plastic alternatives. This diversity of applications not only expands their market reach but also keeps their team engaged with fresh challenges.

"I think it's very important that everybody sees the value of plastic trash, that they start treating it not as trash, but as value that can be recycled into high-value products, into an even better product than the traditional one," explains Miss Gabriella. "Start by stopping the use of single-use plastic, and then sort your plastic. When you don't sort your plastic, you have lower quality plastic later to be recycled. So it's crucial to sort the plastic when you dispose of it."

Through this integrated approach to business and sustainability, ECOLLABO8 demonstrates how environmental challenges can be transformed into commercial opportunities with far-reaching benefits for communities, economies, and ecosystems.

Interview

Gabriela Larasati, Marketing and Community Manager

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