Today we interviewed Lucy Romo, Business Development Manager at one of our goCircular Pass startups, recent winner of one of the challenges in the Circular Packaging Challenge 2024.
What problem does your startup address, and what solution does it propose?
Notpla is a company that creates biodegradable, home-compostable packaging that is completely plastic-free, made from seaweed and other natural materials. Our mission is to reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastic packaging.
How and why did you start this entrepreneurial journey? Any advice, based on your experience, that you would like to share with future entrepreneurs?
I joined Notpla two years ago, and it has been an incredible experience. I believe that dedicating my time and working for a company that is part of the solution rather than the problem is highly rewarding.
My best advice is to identify the problem you want to solve and always keep that goal in mind, because doing something outside the status quo will always be more challenging.
How do you expect the sector to evolve? And what are your expectations for your startup?
Nowadays, the plastic problem is becoming increasingly evident. Thanks to regulations and consumer awareness, society is much more conscious of the pollution caused by plastic. I believe there are many opportunities in the industry, and the more innovations emerge, the better. The best way to move forward is through collaborations between companies, consumers, and multinationals.
Do you have any upcoming developments that you would like to share with other startups? In which areas would you like to collaborate with other startups, companies, or organisations?
Notpla relies on collaboration with key partners to achieve many of its goals. We are looking for packaging distributors, multinational companies interested in running a pilot project, and manufacturing companies seeking alternatives to plastic.
However, consumers can also contribute by staying informed and supporting truly plastic-free packaging, being more critical when making purchases, etc. There are always ways to get involved—for example, if your company uses takeaway food packaging, Notpla can be a great alternative.
You participated in the Circular Packaging Challenge developed by TheCircularLab and Ecoembes, winning the 2024 edition. Can you tell us about your experience?
It was incredible to connect with other entrepreneurs. I believe events like this make it clear that many of us are working towards innovative solutions and fighting against these challenges. What I like most about this challenge is that it focuses on a pilot test, which is one of the most valuable things for a startup.