Who’s Doing the Work? Solubag
Highlighting corporations already working towards the SDGs
“…We passionately believe we must start TODAY to save THE FUTURE.”
Founded in 2018 by leading Chilean scientists, Roberto Astete and Cristian Olivares, Solubag is a global collaboration of companies helping to solve the world’s single-use plastic problem. Using their innovative new soluble material derived from limestone, Solubag manufactures eco-friendly alternatives for a variety of previously plastic products such as shopping bags, doggy bags, food packaging, detergent containers, etc. Through this development Solubag aims to replace unnecessary single-use plastics to prevent further pollution. Of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals laid out by the UN, Solubag aims to address 6 of them.
- 2. No Hunger
- 6. Clean Water and Sanitation
- 9. Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- 12. Responsible Consumption and Production
- 14. Life Below Water
- 15. Life on Land
Today, we’ll be discussing those SDGs that achieve the greatest impact.
Clean Water and Sanitation
According to the UN’s Department of Economic and Social Affairs, at current rates, 1.6 billion people will still lack safely managed drinking water by 2030. This is due to chemical leaching, antiquated sanitary systems, non-point source pollution (pharmaceuticals, pesticides, etc.), and degraded particulate matter such as plastics. Unlike other plastics and compostable alternatives, Solubag breaks down into 2 harmless components: trace carbon and water. The leftover solution is so clean the “byproduct” is potable and can be drunk and used to water plants. Imagine what this could do for the quality of municipal water everywhere?
Life — Below Water and on Land
Recently the UN Environment Programme estimated that on average over 60,000 microplastic particles are contained in every square kilometer of the sea. Much of these micro plastics break down from everyday products such as doggy bags — a prime example of a problematic and abundant source of single use plastics. According to some sources as many as 500 million plastic doggy bags are used annually, each taking upward of 500 years to decompose in landfills. Those that don’t make it to the landfill end up in our water ways and eventually to the ocean wreaking havoc on marine life. Solubags could eliminate this contribution to plastic pollution altogether.
Additionally, unlike conventional biodegradable plastic alternatives, Solubags breakdown immediately in the presence of water. Other biodegradable products require specific facilities to help them break down — something that most cities lack. Because of this the bags end up in landfills anyway where they behave like plastics due to lack of access to necessary oxygen and sunlight.
At the core of their business Solubag is attempting to solve one of the world’s foremost issues: single-use plastic pollution. Through this one material innovation this company could change the trajectory of our ability to achieve UN’s SDG goals. Solubag represents the power of innovation achievable through impact oriented companies. You can find their full SDG assessment here.
More on Sustainable Business:
- Interested in other companies who are building a sustainable future? Check out our blog series, Who’s Doing the Work?
- Want to see Solubag products available in the United States? Shop here.
- Learn more about the UN’s SDGs here.
- Ready to make an impact with your business? Visit 17Ways.co to get started.
