The Challenge:
Over 400 million tons of plastic are produced every year and at least 14 million tons end up in the ocean. Plastic makes up 80% of all marine debris — by 2050, plastic is expected to outweigh all the fish in the sea. Of the 400 million tons, single-use items like cups, straws, and shopping bags contribute to half of this output. Plastic pollution threatens marine life, human health, the vitality of coastal tourism, and also plays a role in exacerbating climate change.
A synthetic organic polymer derived from fossil fuels, plastic contributes to climate change at every step of its life cycle. To start, many of the chemicals employed in the manufacturing process are known carcinogens. Less than 10% of plastics produced are actually recycled, and depending on a variety of factors, it can take hundreds if not thousands of years to break down. Even then, it never fully biodegrades — microplastic particles can become so small that they contaminate the very air we breathe.
The Solution:
Sway is on a mission to tackle the plastic problem by developing seaweed-based, home-compostable replacements for single-use plastic packaging. Their innovative products replicate the essential performance characteristics of plastic packaging and seamlessly integrate with existing infrastructure, allowing for scalability and competitive pricing. Serving a wide range of applications and industries, Sway’s portfolio of products are entirely home-compostable, durable, printable, and made from responsibly sourced seaweed.
Sway’s regenerative seaweed packaging aims to “replenish life from sea to soil” at every step of the supply chain. The company partners with a global network of ocean farms, from commercial suppliers to small-scale farmers. In addition, Sway works closely with partner farms and processors to contribute new research around the impacts of seaweed farming including biodiversity, water quality, carbon sequestration, and social impact to ensure that benefits of seaweed aquaculture are prioritized as demand rises in the sector. The ocean-safe alternative is actively championing a regenerative resource that supports coastal communities and healthy ecosystems.
In 2023, Sway was announced as the first place winner of the Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize. In 2021, Sway also won the Beyond the Bag Challenge sponsored by Closed Loop Partners and a consortium of major retailers.
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Learn more about Sway and its next-generation replacements for plastic.