Today we are learning from Gabe Tavas, the winner of the 2021 US James Dyson Award for his invention, Pyrus, a sustainable material made from kombucha waste. Motivated by the urgency to combat deforestation, the team at Symmetry Wood uses repurposed bacterial cellulose to create an alternative to tree-based wood.  The idea: make wood without cutting down trees. Though still in the early stages of development, they have already used this innovative material to create smaller items such as jewellery and guitar picks. I speak with Gabe from the bustling University of Illinois - you may hear a bit of background noise in this episode - about the inspiration for Pyrus and his plans for the future. 

Today we’ll be learning from Marko Klacar, the Founder of Capriole, an idea he developed during quarantine after having tested positive for Covid 19. Capriole is a Luxembourg based startup, transforming coffee waste into non-toxic briquettes. A solution that can be easily scaled through a  network of roasters using Capriole’s licensing program. We talked about his entrepreneurial journey, the importance of getting your hards dirty and the meaning behind the name Capriole. 

Today we’re learning from Kai Paul, Head of Manufacturing and Sustainability at Indosole based in Bali. Indosole is a B Corp certified vegan footwear company that uses 100% recycled tires for it’s soles. An idea that came about after Indosole’s Founder, Kyle Parsons, purchased a pair of hand-crafted sandals made from motorbike tires during his first trip to the Indonesian island.  They’ve since scaled up and streamlined the process, collecting tire waste, pulverising it into a powder, and pressing it into new soles with soul, as they like to say. He talks about their company journey, the challenges of using recycled material, and what’s next for Indosole. 

Use Promo Code "Coldharbour" to enjoy 10% off your next Indosole purchase. Visit www.indosole.com to learn more about their story and products. 

Today we’re learning from Harald Cavalli-Bjorkman from Renewcell, an award-winning textile-to-textile recycling company based in Sweden. Circulose® is a branded dissolving pulp product that Renewcell makes from 100% textile waste, such as worn-out jeans and production scraps.  For fashion brands big and small, it’s become a coveted alternative to virgin materials like cotton, which require unsustainable amounts of land and water to cultivate. He talks to us about the future of fashion, the nitty gritty of material recycling and why it feels good to come in to work. 

Today we’re learning from Julian Lechner, the Founder of Kaffee Form based in Berlin.  Kaffee Form manufactures reusable coffee cups made from recycled coffee grounds. It takes roughly three servings of coffee, or 60 grams of grounds, to produce one cup. 

Interview with Gumdrop Founder Anna Bullus, based in the UK.  Anna speaks about why smart design is key for success, what products have been made from chewing gum - fun fact: some even smell like peppermint! - and why, even when the going got tough, she never let anyone burst her bubble. 

Elvis and Kresse is a luxury bag and accessories company based in the UK that focuses on using reclaimed firehose and textile waste. I spoke to the Co-Founder of Elvis and Kresse, Kresse Wesling, about her love of landfills, the benefits of using “backwards design,” and how parachute silk, tea bags, and other unwanted and unexpected materials are incorporated into her products. 

Felix Bock is the Founder of Chopvalue, a circular economy furniture and design company that creates beautiful, high-performance products made entirely from recycled chopsticks.