In 1993, school boy Mark Sorenson got 20/20 for an essay about the dangers of plastic packaging. 29 years later Mark and his business partner and wife, Ellie, have established Cleanery, a kiwi start-up that’s attracted millions in venture capital and now has products ranged across NZ and Australian supermarkets.

Cleanery removes the water and the plastic bottle from household cleaners, offering

instead a sachet of cleaning powder. Simply tip the powder into any bottle, add warm water, and presto, you’ve got the beginnings of a sparkling clean bathroom or kitchen.  

Declaration of interest: Vincent does some consulting work for Cleanery and has invested a

tiny fraction via the Climate Venture Capital Fund.