You might be wondering … what do the UN and Enviu have in common? Well here it is – Enviu recently took its Reuse Revolution to the United Nations stage! Last month Enviu had the privilege of attending the Sea of Solutions 2024 (SOS 2024) in Bangkok, an event organised by United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA). This annual gathering serves as a key platform for tackling plastic pollution in Southeast Asia.
For Enviu it was the perfect opportunity for us to showcase our work and share insights on advancing circular economy solutions. It also proved to be a testament to the impact our ‘Theory of Change’ has had on the plastics domain as a whole.
Missed it? Let us fill you in…
At this year’s SOS 2024, Enviu was represented by our very own Darina Maulana, Program Lead of the Zero Waste Living Lab, alongside Bintang Ekananda, Founder and CEO of Alner (an Enviu venture).
Bintang kicked things off with a session on “Unblocking Circular Business Models”, where he shared invaluable insights into the challenges and successes of scaling reuse innovations.
Meanwhile, Darina delivered key takeaways during her presentation on “Scaling Reuse and Refill: Strategies for Success”, sparking engaging discussions that highlighted how we can push reuse models forward.
In fact, we recently spoke to Darina about her experience there at the event, and here’s what she had to say:
Up on that stage, it felt like a defining moment—one that showed just how far we’ve come in our mission to combat plastic pollution. There we were, side by side with our venture Alner, sharing our vision with some of the most influential figures in Southeast Asia. In the (other) panel and audience sat government officials, business leaders, and changemakers, all united in the fight against plastic waste. It was surreal, knowing that our journey had led us here, and that together, we’re driving real systemic change.
Together, Enviu and Alner’s presentations laid the groundwork for conversations that could propel the region toward real, lasting change in the fight against plastic pollution.
Here are the highlights…
Top 3 Highlights from the SOS 2024
The Sea of Solutions 2024 has not only given Enviu recognition on the global stage, but it has also validated our vision on tackling plastic pollution and given us a podium for sharing actionable insights that inspire others to work towards this cause.
1. Recognition on the global stage
Believe or not, SOS was the first time Enviu has presented at a high-profile UN event. We were thrilled to see how familiar attendees already were with Enviu’s work. This recognition opened many doors for future collaborations, with stakeholders expressing keen interest in partnering with us on upcoming initiatives.
In fact, a standout moment came when the Ministry of Environment of Indonesia highlighted Alner on the main stage as a best practice example of plastic waste prevention. This public endorsement was a major validation of our efforts and proof that our vision is gaining traction in the right circles.
2. Validation of our vision
That being said, just five years ago this journey was just only a concept. Therefore, seeing Enviu and Alner being recognised at such a significant event confirmed that our efforts are making a real impact, and that we are on the right path.
3. Actionable Insights
But perhaps the most important highlight is the fact that this event gave Enviu a podium to share actionable insights with the attendees.
Bintang and Darina’s sessions resonated with the audience, offering them actionable strategies for advancing reuse solutions. Their ideas were well received, sparking meaningful conversations that will undoubtedly continue beyond the event.
Looking Forward
Being part of SOS 2024 was a huge milestone for us. What started as an idea has now evolved into a thriving movement, and our participation marks a pivotal step in scaling reuse and circular models. The conversations and collaborations sparked during the event have left us more motivated than ever to push forward.
Enviu is excited to continue growing with our partners and keep innovating in the plastic-free movement. Together, we believe we can make reuse a cornerstone of the circular economy and help build a future free of plastic waste.
