The Shopping Conspiracy: How Israeli startups tackle the environmental consequences of corporate greed and overconsumption – by Frederic Eger – Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy, a Netflix documentary released on November 19, 2024 explores the environmental consequences of corporate greed and overconsumption. Directed by Nic Stacey, the film exposes the tactics used by major brands to keep consumers in a continuous cycle of purchasing, causing significant environmental and societal damage. The film highlights the growing problem of waste, including post-consumer wastes, with landfills overflowing with discarded goods. It also features insights from former employees of major corporations like Apple and Amazon, who discuss how these companies prioritize consumption over sustainability without considering the product’s “end-of-life.”
How are Israel startups addressing the issues raised Buy Now!?
1. Post-Consumer wastes. Israeli startups are tackling post-consumer waste by reducing the use of packaging materials like plastic bags, food wrappers, and cardboard boxes:
*Melodea has developed a sustainable barrier coating that can replace traditional plastic packaging layers, ensuring food and cosmetics product integrity and reducing non-recyclable coating waste, thus reducing the need for traditional plastic packaging.
*Co-Energy transforms plastic and organic waste into energy, promoting a circular economy and improving soil health. Their technology processes large volumes of plastic waste, generating energy for homes.
*UBQ Materials has developed a bio-based material production process that uses municipal solid waste to replace conventional plastics, diverting materials from landfills and reducing plastic production’s carbon footprint.
*TIPA produces bio-based compostable packaging solutions, which decompose within 180 days under composting conditions, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging.
*Wasteless is a grocery store strategy that encourages consumers to buy items near their expiration dates at reduced prices, thereby reducing food waste and addressing packaging waste from unsold products.
2. Household Wastes.
Israeli startups innovating solutions old newspapers, empty containers, and worn-out clothing to address household wastes.
*Fabumin repurposes aquafaba, the liquid leftover from canning beans and legumes, transforming it into a powdered plant-based egg substitute. This process not only reduces food waste but also provides a sustainable alternative for the food industry.
*Daikawood utilizes wood waste, such as sawdust, to create a new natural material that can replace petroleum-based products. This innovative approach addresses the issue of wood waste while producing a versatile material suitable for various applications.
*3PLW is a startup that converts food waste into biodegradable plastics through organic waste fermentation. Their goal is to lower bioplastic production costs while reducing food waste by producing building blocks for polylactic acid.
3. Electronics Wastes or e-Wastes.
Israeli startups are tackling e-waste, containing hazardous materials like lead and mercury, by developing innovative recycling, reusing, and management solutions to address the built-in obsolescence of products.
*All Recycling specializes in recycling electrical and electronic waste using advanced technologies and a comprehensive production line, aiming for zero landfill waste and environmental compliance.
*M.A.I – Israel Electronics Recycling Corporation, is a government-licensed company that handles around 1,000 tons of e-waste monthly, accounting for 90% of B2B........