Coconut & Rice Straws: a natural sip from EQUO

With Vietnam facing significant challenges related to plastic waste, how does EQUO engage with local communities and businesses in Vietnam to promote the adoption of sustainable, plastic-free alternatives?

EQUO products decompose in months, not centuries. We are focusing on materials that are renewable and compostable into organic compounds. They are so easy to use and switch to, you don't have to change your lifestyle or behavior. We are not protecting the planet, we're building a world in which we do not have to. EQUO will help solve the problem of millions of tonnes of plastic waste polluting the earth, and people annoyed with having to carry around or wash their straws.

EQUO aims to revolutionise how eco-conscious brands connect with consumers by promoting the idea that "every little action helps." Unlike the all-or-nothing approach that can deter newcomers, we foster a welcoming message.

Plastics are negatively affecting people and the environment at each stage of their lifecycle, including extraction of fossil fuel, production, manufacturing, use, recycling, and disposal. The impacts are felt on biodiversity, climate change, human health, and human rights. We are focusing on replacing single-use plastic products where the length of time for decomposition doesn't match the number of uses or durability requirements.

How does EQUO's use of materials such as rice, sugarcane, and coconut, which are abundant in Vietnam, contribute to both the local economy and the global fight against plastic pollution?

Rice straws are crafted from rice and tapioca starch, offered in a range of plant-based, natural colors such as white, green, pink, blue, and yellow; these straws can be cooked and eaten after use, providing a snackable option while you drink. Dried grass straws, made from naturally tube-shaped grass and available in green, serve dual purposes as a natural chew or tug-of-war toy for pets and a satisfying crunchable item for those who enjoy the sensation of popping bubble wrap; they can also be bundled together to create a natural bee-hive at home.

Coconut straws, produced from fermented coconut water, bring a tropical twist to the everyday straw experience with their ivory-white color and cool textured design. Sugarcane straws are derived from sugarcane and emit a lightly sweet aroma, offered in various sizes including those suitable for specialty drinks or bubble tea, and come in light brown (speckled); they are also washable and reusable within a day. Coffee straws, made from coffee grounds and emanating the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, are available in multiple sizes and they don't get soggy!

Regarding other competitive solutions on the market, our biggest "competitor" would be paper straws. Most people don’t know this, but McDonalds had spent millions of dollars and rolled out paper straws a few years ago but they found some major issues with them: they were too small to sort out for recycling, they were too thick to be processed for recycling, and if they touch any other liquid other than water they couldn’t be recycled – so they would end up in the landfill just like everything else. Also, paper straws still use trees and while they claim to be compostable, it does not take in to account the fact they are bleached with chemicals. This is on top of the fact that there is large dissatisfaction with their quality and the fact that they get soggy.

For other types of straws on the market, what we’re competing against is often straws made out of materials that contain gluten (wheat straws). In this case, people who have celiac disease or gluten allergies cannot use them, straws that are expensive and divert food resources (like pasta straws), or straws that are often uncertified or coated with PFASs (polyfluoroalkyl substances also known as the “forever chemical”) which allows straws to strongly hold their structure, but actually are chemicals that don’t break down and often leech in to your drink and then in to your body when you consume them. Our products do not contain any PFASs.

The biggest impact that we can make for the local economy is by making sure our manufacturing and sourcing comes from local regions like Dong Thap, Ben Tre and Long An. These are local regions that most people outside of Vietnam have not ever heard of, but have a strong agricultural history. By sourcing materials from these areas, we are not only driving sustainable income for these areas, but helping to support traditional agriculture way of life.

Considering the environmental impact of agriculture and natural resource extraction in Vietnam, how does EQUO ensure that the raw materials used for its products are sourced sustainably and ethically?

We prioritise transparency in our process, ensuring clarity regarding our capabilities and limitations. While we've found suppliers relatively easily, a common challenge lies in obtaining accurate information or documentation for sourcing. In Vietnam, smaller raw material suppliers may lack the necessary paperwork, which can hinder our operations.

To overcome this challenge, we prioritise open communication with our suppliers and conduct regular visits to manufacturing sites. This hands-on approach allows us to gain a deep understanding of our supply chain and ensures we can provide accurate information to our customers.

Our products are designed to maximise existing natural resources and byproducts to minimise waste, leaving the earth as naturally as they came in. We source from sustainable manufacturers who meet our stringent internal standards and invest in certifications that demonstrate our commitment to quality and sustainability.

By aggregating products from these reputable sources, we bring them to the global market in a way that prioritises security and provides customers with the detailed information they need.

In the context of Vietnam's rapidly growing economy and increasing plastic consumption, what challenges does EQUO face in persuading both consumers and businesses to shift towards eco-friendly alternatives?

What makes us different is our approach to the category. For the longest time, everyone treated straws as this homogenous category that didn’t really have a lot of choices besides color and design. We’re saying straws are just like any other category and consumers want choices that cater to their preferences. That’s why we offer a variety of different materials.

Also, we are coming in and branding a typically commoditised category, similar to bottled water and tissue paper, and giving people a reason to care about their choice in straw or fork – things they never thought twice about. We are a bright, loud, eye-catching brand to get people’s attention, educate them about our products and offerings, and then deliver on providing them with choices.

Consumers care about the world and climate, we know that, but they also need to balance it with their functional and behavioral needs, which include convenience and ease of use. The easier we make it for them to be sustainable, the better. In addition, if we can work on cost efficiencies and mass adoption, then the individual solutions collectively can really have an impact on our planet.

The design philosophy of EQUO products focuses on ensuring that they are 100% compostable and biodegradable. Could you detail the research and innovation that goes into developing these products, particularly the water-based coating technology?

EQUO Founder & CEO, Marina Tran-Vu’s inspiration is driven by trying to build a brighter, greener future for her nephew and niece, supporting local economic growth and job creation from her parent's hometown, and the desire to raise Vietnam's profile as a global leader in sustainability and innovation.

Marina's adventure with EQUO began when she saw a grass straw in her drink during her time in Vietnam. She wondered why such a smart and eco-friendly option wasn't everywhere in the world. It was much better than wasteful plastic or soggy paper straws. This moment inspired Marina to start EQUO, with the goal of sharing this simple yet powerful change with the world.

As Marina delved deeper into the world of sustainable materials, her research expanded to include a range of natural materials and byproducts that could be integrated into EQUO's product portfolio.

As EQUO continues to evolve, what measures are you taking to improve your sustainability processes, especially regarding packaging solutions like the transition away from packing tape?

While many packaging options on the market rely heavily on plastic coatings, EQUO is dedicated to maintaining a plastic-free approach. Our packaging is crafted entirely from paper and utilises a water-coating technique to enhance durability, preserve ink longevity, and prevent scratches. This innovative approach ensures that both our products and packaging can fully decompose within a short period, leaving behind no harmful waste.

Despite the potential for increased production costs associated with our eco-friendly packaging, we firmly believe that investing in sustainability is paramount. We prioritise our environmental responsibility and take pride in our role as pioneers in eco-friendly practices.

As we continue to evolve, we meticulously evaluate every aspect of our materials and processes to ensure they align with our sustainability standards. We maintain open communication with our suppliers to foster mutual understanding and collaboration in achieving our shared sustainability goals.

Through our ongoing dedication to innovation and sustainability, we remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering products that not only meet our customers' needs but also uphold our values of environmental stewardship.

Looking forward, what role do you envision EQUO playing in supporting Vietnam's national sustainability goals and its transition to a circular economy, and are there specific initiatives or projects in the pipeline to support this vision?

Moving forward, we strive to position Vietnam as a leader in global sustainability innovation. We reject the notion of Vietnam as a third-world country and embrace its potential as a beacon of hope, demonstrating the transformative power of sustainability. By cultivating a thriving ecosystem of green businesses, we generate meaningful employment opportunities and reshape international perceptions of Vietnam. We have the widest variety of sustainable materials in the world, giving customers the freedom to choose a material that suits their needs; EQUO is a trusted brand recognised globally; our products are sized in counts of 1000, making it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to manage inventory; We are certified non-plastic, non-bioplastic, and our products are home compostable; We primarily use byproducts that would otherwise end up in landfills for production.

We have some ongoing projects to bring more items to our portfolio, and we’re striving to be relevant to show people that making a conscious choice is much easier than they think.