Arekapak

The common saying that travel broadens horizons is a fitting pretext for how designers often find novel solutions to our plastic waste problem – observing different cultures offers a passage to a new way of thinking and living.

Which is exactly how Arekapak was born. Travelling to India introduced the founders to areca palm leaves, the basis for their "functional, aesthetic, sustainable" packaging collection. The startup has established a German-Indian network, combining technical knowledge and indigenous craftsmanship. The result is an elegant, plastic-free packaging solution that empowers local labourers and prevents fallen leaves from being burned, adding CO2 to our atmosphere. If scalability is within reach, Arekapak could make a huge dent in the single-use plastic world.