Local start-up Cassava Bags Australia has been announced as the winner of Bupa’s 2022 global eco-Disruptive program.
The company will use the $350,000 prize to grow its business.
Cassava Bags produces 100 per cent natural, biodegradable and compostable bags made from the Cassava root that can dissolve in water within minutes.
They were one of six Asia Pacific finalists participating in the 2022 eco-disruptive program that connects start-ups with Bupa teams to help scale-up solutions.
Bupa Asia Pacific CEO Hisham El-Ansary congratulated Cassava Bags Australia on winning the global final.
"I am so proud of the drive, creativity, and resilience shown by our people who worked hand-in-hand with Casava Bags Australia to help develop an innovative solution that could be a real game changer in terms of creating a healthy planet for healthy people," he said.
“Along with showcasing the creativity of our people, eco-Disruptive reinforces how critical these innovative partnerships with the start-up community are to achieving sustainable development.”
Cassava Bags Australia received the most votes from Bupa’s people who considered pitches from start-ups across Bupa’s APAC, UK, European and Latin American, and Bupa Arabia network.
Bruce Rossi, CEO and president of Purpose of Cassava Bags Australia, said working with Bupa’s people through the eco-disruptive program has opened up a world of commercial and sustainable possibilities.
“We believe that the plastic crisis demands multifaceted solutions, and that means commitment from local small businesses, big businesses, governments, and grassroots movements.
“Through a shared collaborative ethos, we look forward to using this funding to champion bold new initiatives across the consumer, business and healthcare sectors to stem the tide of global plastic pollution,” said Mr Rossi.