Celebrating innovation and collaboration at the Beyond Cups showcase
This month, we had the privilege of hosting the Beyond Cups final showcase, a landmark event that brought together some of the brightest innovators, industry leaders and government representatives. This gathering wasn't just a celebration of what has been achieved through the initiative; it marked the beginning of an exciting journey towards the implementation of the participants’ innovative solutions with industry partners.
The Beyond Cups program, spearheaded by the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation in collaboration with the Office of the Queensland Chief Entrepreneur and delivery partner Innovation Architects, was designed to challenge and inspire Australian innovators. Its primary goal? To significantly reduce Queensland’s reliance on single-use coffee cups, lids, and takeaway containers. This innovative challenge focused on discovering and nurturing ideas that could transform how we make, re-use and recycle everyday items, turning them into sustainable solutions.
A launchpad for future collaborations
The final showcase was the culmination of months of hard work and creativity by our participants; each working to develop their products and services, make commercial progress, understand and communicate their impacts and last but not least work with industry to turn their ideas into reality.
A diverse array of companies presented their solutions at the showcase, each bringing something unique to the table:
Natraplas – A compost-powered electric vehicle charger: A digester that turns used compostable cups into energy using a cutting-edge, portable Thermal Compression Digestion Unit (TCDU). natraplas.com.au/
Kelpy – A seaweed-based plastic alternative: Kelpy is an algae biotech company that uses natural ingredients and polymer science to make replacing plastic for cups, plates, and food-serving ware. www.kelpy.co/
Cercle – A reusable coffee cup system for workplaces: Cercle allows people to use their specially-designed cups and drop them off at Drop Pods from where they are collected, washed and placed back to be reused. www.cercle.com.au/
LODI Enabled R3 Cup – A sustainable party cup: This is a reusable, returnable, and recyclable cup designed for events, festivals, and stadiums. lodienabled.com/r3cup
RePlated – A reusable takeaway food container: Mealboxes made from the world’s first Certified Ocean Bound Plastic; waste plastic that was on its way to the ocean. www.replated.co
As we head into the Christmas and New Year’s break, we wish to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who has been involved in the program to date. Your commitment to sustainable innovation is not just inspiring; it’s leading the way for a brighter, more eco-conscious future.
We look forward to sharing the progress and the impacts of our participants in 2024. The Beyond Cups showcase may have ended, but it's just the beginning of an exciting, sustainable journey ahead.
