Earth Back To Earth

People are longing for a sustainable alternative to plastic to save our Earth. Why not then explore an end-to-end waste lifecycle model? Take this example from a company that envisions a world in which convenience doesn’t destroy our planet.

Engineering company with an environmental conscience

The company under reference is GaeaStar, founded in 2020, with headquarters in both San Francisco and Berlin.

“We embody a unique blend of social purpose, product innovation, and engineering expertise,” it says, adding, “As a holistic solution provider, we’re committed to revolutionizing the way to-go products are manufactured and used.”

Its team, comprising engineers, scientists, designers, finance professionals, and support staff from diverse backgrounds, collaborates seamlessly to develop environmentally friendly containers for food and beverages.

Utilizing cutting-edge technology, it engineers multi-use items on demand, such as coffee cups, crafted from earthen materials that naturally disintegrate without harming the environment.

It prioritizes convenience without compromising on sustainability, offering cost-saving solutions for the long term. Beyond product development, it is dedicated to raising awareness and challenging the status quo, fostering a cultural shift away from single-use habits towards embracing circularity.

The idea of GaeaStar came about some years back when its CEO and Founder Sanjeev Mankotia was traveling in India. While traveling he noticed that street vendors would sell tea (chai) in crudely handmade terracotta cups, commonly known as kulhars.

Patrons would drink the tea and then throw away the kulhar as it was not to be used again, i.e. a single-use disposable cup.

It is estimated that kulhars may have been in use in the region for the past 5,000 years, since the Indus Valley Civilization. The beauty of this ancient method is that since the kulhars are made from earth, they are eco-friendly.

This observation percolated in Sanjeev’s mind for a while until he had the eureka moment of combining this ancient practice with the 21st century technology of additive manufacturing, to solve the current day plastics waste problem.

“For people to adopt solutions, it’s really important to give them a nicer experience with the same convenience,” he says.

The earth experience at GaeaStar — GaeaStar believes that convenience shouldn’t come at the cost of our planet. GaeaStar’s ultra-thin reusable clay cups are a new category of product designed to combine to-go consumption with the elevated experience of in-house dining.

His company name “GaeaStar” includes the ancient Greek term “Gaea” (also: Gaia), who was the primordial goddess of the earth in Greek mythology, and which has the general meaning “earth”. To “Gaea” the English term “Star” is added.

The “Star” is derived from “Tvastar” (also: Tvastr and Tvashtar), who was the divine artisan and builder god in Hindu mythology.

By reshaping behaviours and promoting circularity, its product category line provides reusable solutions that not only eliminate pollution upon disposal but also enhance the overall customer experience.

Clearly, at GaeaStar, the mission is clear: “We bear the responsibility of eradicating the harmful effects of single-use and multi-use products.”

This is why the company is dedicated to developing technology and utilizing materials that ensure sustainability throughout the entire lifecycle of our products.

GaeaStar earthen cups manufacturing — Made from just clay, water and salt, GaeaStar products are geo-neutral and designed to be reused. They are made from the earth and upon disposal return to the earth. By eliminating the need for recycling entirely, the company is helping in solving the real problem behind single-use plastics.

Taking a cue, why don’t you start contributing in a mission like this to make single use history and embrace circularity.

In case you are already helping in eliminating plastic waste, or producing products that are 100% plastic free, do write to us for coverage or branding help from our agency partner G Caffe.

Do You Know: Over 90% of all plastic ever produced has never been recycled.