29/10/2021
Feature
Innovation Snapshot
Top 20 Sustainable Business Ideas for 2020
TOP 20 SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS IDEAS FOR 2020
INNOVATION SNAPSHOT
From recyclable shoes to smart devices reducing food waste, we hope the following innovations will inspire businesses to take bolder sustainable action in 2020 and beyond.
Not only is green good for business in many cases, but companies that do not get serious about sustainability will also likely soon find a business landscape with no place for them.
For one, consumer behaviour, which continues to favour brands with a clear sustainable vision, not allow it. More importantly, we are now at the threshold of irreversibly damaging our planet, and after many decades of pushing back meaningful action, businesses will no longer have an option to sit out the fight against climate change.
At Springwise, we aim to spot and promote innovations that matter — many of which focus on sustainability — as well as picking up on innovative ideas before they go mainstream.
With this in mind, we’re sharing 20 of our favourite sustainable innovations from the past year. From recyclable shoes and biodegradable packaging to AI platforms reducing fabric waste and smart devices cutting food waste, we hope the following will inspire businesses around the globe to do more to strengthen the health of our planet in 2020 and beyond.
1. COMPOSTABLE SHRINK WRAP FOR GROCERY PRODUCE
Australian independent grocer Drake’s Supermarkets partnered with Adelaide-based wholesaler IG Fresh to create a compostable fruit and vegetable wrap. The supermarket chain wanted to stop using the polyethene plastic wrap frequently used on individually sold fruits and vegetables. While there are many biodegradable and compostable packaging options now available, the challenge in this project lay in making the new material usable for shrink wrapping. Read More.
2. RUNNING SHOES THAT CAN BE RECYCLED
Futurecraft Loop shoes | Photo source Adidas
Adidas developed running shoes made from 100 per cent recyclable material. Futurecraft Loop shoes are made with reusable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and do not contain glue. When they are worn to the point where they would normally be discarded, they can be sent back to Adidas. They are then washed, ground down to pellets and melted into a material that can be part of new shoes. Read More.
3. BIODEGRADABLE PACKAGING FOR E-COMMERCE
The Australasian “Better Packaging Company” created a form of eco-friendly packaging for e-commerce shipping. Better Packaging Company currently offers several alternatives to traditional packaging, including plastic alternatives. The company also produces an envelope/pack line made from limestone quarry waste, which feels like paper but is water-proof and recyclable. Read More
4. CONCEPT STORE REDUCES WASTE BY USING DIGITAL PACKAGING
Lush’s all-naked concept store in Shinjuku, Japan, replaced all signage, ingredient lists and price tags with digital packaging. Shoppers use the Lush Labs app to access the icons and videos that are used in place of the traditional elements. As well as preventing waste, digital packaging is especially useful for its capacity and flexibility. In the Lush store, it is the perfect space to provide bonus material, such as makeup tutorials. Read More.
5. AI-PLATFORM FINDS CLOTHES THAT TRULY FIT
Metail offers two services – MeModel and Composed Photography | Photo source Metail
Metail’s MeModel platform takes a few measurements from customers and uses its machine-learning algorithm to suggest accurate and personalised style and size recommendations. For retailers, MeModel provides data analysis to help maximise inventory and supply chain efficiency and to help boost brand loyalty with insight into customer preferences. Read More.
6. 3D SCANNING TO CREATE SUSTAINABLE JEANS
American startup Unspun aims to reduce waste in the fashion industry by offering consumers sustainable, bespoke jeans. The company uses a combination of robotics and old-fashioned sewing machines to produce sustainable clothing. Unspun believes its model of 3D scanning and personalised tailoring offers customers a unique way to reduce fashion waste. The company, based in San Francisco and Hong Kong, uses a 3D infrared scanner to measure clients for their jeans. Read More.
7. A PLANT-BASED PERFORMANCE RUNNING SHOE
Reebok launched a plant-based performance running shoe, the Forever Floatride Grow. This came as part of the brand’s aim to reduce its use of petroleum-based plastics and create a shoe that uses mostly sustainable natural ingredients, without compromising its performance. Read More.
