As Seen on Shark Tank! Now in over 500+ restaurants, hotels, and retailers.
Who are we?
Yesss, we are including ourselves on this list, but we did invent Cropsticks and two years later launched the bamboo straw into the spotlight. We are proud to make our product from fast growing sustainable bamboo.
And now, onto the real list.
Who is ChopValue?
ChopValue turns used, disposable chopsticks into functional pieces for everyday life. This company strives to prove that a circular economy can be the standard in communities everywhere.
Why are they so awesome?
They recycle chopsticks into everything from coasters to side tables to cutting boards to exercise blocks. ChopValue’s creations show how upcycling can result in high performance materials and beautiful design. We are proud to collect back used Cropsticks from our customers so that ChopValue can give them a second life.
Who is Demitasse?
Demitasse is known for their coffee expertise and original creations in espresso, coffee and tea. Every barista has a signature drink that you can only order it when he or she is on bar.
Why are they so awesome?
In January 2019, founder Bobak ‘Bobby’ Roshan sent out the new sustainable Demitasse manifesto declaring that “...that we can, at a very micro-level, make a difference when it comes to waste. In our conversations with Freedom, we realized that there were a whole host of things we could do to eliminate waste in our coffee bars and roastery.”
And every month they’ve been making small adjustments, whether it’s FINALLY getting rid of disposable water cups or seeking alternatives to a wooden stir stick they are walking the walk, and drinking coffee responsibly too.
Owner Roshan has even flown out to meet with farmers in Central and South America that he purchases beans from and has stayed with a farmer at his home in El Salvador, riding along with him throughout his day to experience the daily efforts behind an extensive, homemade composting system. “When someone cares so much about it to do this, they’re taking care of the trees and that’s a good sign,” said Roshan.
Who is Roy’s?
The first Roy's was opened in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1988 by namesake Roy Yamaguchi, a James Beard Award winner. Today there are 16 Roy's restaurants in the continental United States, six in Hawaii, one in Japan and one in Guam.
Why are they so awesome?
Farm-to-Table dining may be a buzzword now but Roy Yamaguchi, the founder and chef behind successful restaurant chain Roy’s, has been exercising environmental stewardship and agricultural sustainability in Hawaii for over three decades. Supporting local farms and fisherman is a major part of what makes not just their food great, but also their support of community and the environment.
Who is WorldCentric?
World Centric® was founded in 2004 to raise awareness of large-scale humanitarian and environmental issues and bring light to the damage being done to ecosystems as well as the hurdles to basic necessities such as water and sanitation created by economic inequality.
Why are they so awesome?
In order to build a sustainable business model and not fall into the constant fundraising that most non-profits are shackled to WorldCentric started to not only sell high quality certified compostable products but also promotes them with the love and sensitivity that only someone so close to the cause could do. Think of them as the glue in the middle of the eco-system of great sustainable products and the people that don’t know about them yet
Who is Boba Guys?
A milk tea shop that proudly boasts of “serving the highest quality boba milk tea in the world” founded by friends Andrew Chau and Bin Chen in 2011. Starting out in San Francisco, Boba Guys now has locations in Los Angeles and New York. The company is at the front of the artisanal boba tea wave and known for their dedication to high quality ingredients - brewing from tea leaves rather than using powders, making their own syrups and using organic milk.
Why are they so awesome?
In addition to their high-quality, foodie approach to boba, the company is also committed to sustainability and has helped usher in stricter legislation to ban plastic straw use...even if it meant increasing the bottom line. To Boba Guys, it is part of shifting culture and we are proud to know they are leading the way.
Who is Panda Express?
Founded in 1983 in Glendale, California by Andrew and Peggy Cherng, this family owned company now has over 2,000 locations and 35,000 workers serving their signature Chinese entrees like Orange Chicken and Honey Walnut Shrimp. Panda Express traces its roots back to the fine dining restaurant Panda Inn in Pasadena, which was opened in 1973 by Andrew Cherng and his father, Ming-Tsai Cherng.
Why are they so awesome?
Panda Express has been striving to reduce their carbon footprint and use of natural resources by using commercially compostable packaging, recycling oil, making energy efficient buildings, and using uniform recycling programs to help reduce landfill waste. The bigger the corporation, the bigger the changes need to be and we are glad that Panda is doing their part.
Who is Hawaiian Airlines?
Hawaiian Airlines is Hawaii’s largest and longest-serving airline, tracing its founding back to 1929, when it launched its first scheduled flight. Today the airline serves over 10 million guests per year and has non-stop service to Hawai'i from many U.S. cities such as Boston, Las Vegas, Long Beach, Los Angeles and New York City, along with service from American Samoa, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and Tahiti.
Why are they so awesome?
Hawaiian Airlines became the first carrier in 2016 to do a flight demonstration for reducing fuel burn and carbon emissions, showcasing an 8 hour, 54 minute flight that reduced carbon emissions by five metric tons and saved 3,260 pounds of fuel. Starting in 2005, the airline also began using eco-friendly engine washing technology that reduces C02 emissions to the equivalent effect of taking 700 cars off the road annually, along with saving 2.5 million gallons of fuel and an estimated 26,000 gallons of water that would have been used with traditional washing methods. The company is also committed to recycling waste materials, using biodegradable resources for onboard meal packaging and utensils and is part of an airline industry movement to develop clean-burning alternatives to petroleum-based fuel for powering jet engines.
Who?
Design By Freedom is an invention company founded in 2016 whose goal is to redesign 100 disposables by 2025. By redesigning everyday lifestyle products the company aims to eliminate waste in the U.S. and make affordable alternatives for all Americans a possibility.
Why?
Their first project tackled the 40 million cardboard coffee sleeves that are thrown out everyday in the U.S. resulting in 2.8 million pounds of annual cardboard waste. Design by Freedom created the “Freedom Sleeve” - a reusable, snap on/off sleeve that is also in-home compostable. Additionally the company pays consumers for shipping back Freedom Sleeves for upcycling, gives 25% of its revenues to endangered animals, is made in the U.S. and partners with cafes to incentivize customers to use Freedom Sleeves.
