Good Garbage with Ved Krishna

Hello, hello! 🌱Join us this week for a conversation with the amazing Anita Shah, who spent two decades of her life doing humanitarian work in places like Lebanon, Iraq and Somaliland — leaving it all behind to serve the planet. Shah founded Green Stem Products Ltd. as the first of its kind manufacturing facility in her homeland of Kenya to create biodegradable and compostable tableware products. Her journey began with a bank account emptied to support a big dream. Now, her facility produces hundreds of thousands of pieces a month and won the 2025 Sustainability Brand Awards! 🌳With a 70% female team, Green Stem's mission goes beyond packaging solutions. They also provide employment opportunities to people with hearing impairments, albinism and ex-female convicts. Shah is an economist, nutritionist, yoga instructor, aid worker and businesswoman. Who better to learn from about service to the self, people and the planet? 🌍In this episode with Anita Shah:• How Jainism and Iyengar Yoga have influenced a life of service for Shah• How Kenyan supermarkets and turtles ignited a passion for sustainable solutions• The difficulties of starting a business with nothing but a leaf-pressing machine• The challenges with pulping and thermoforming • Figuring out scaling and investments for a smaller business 🎙️ Chapters00:00 Introduction03:42 Empathy Through Humanitarian Work07:59 The Role of Yoga and Meditation11:17 Jainism and Environmental Connection13:34 Transitioning from Humanitarian to Environmental Work19:05 The Birth of Green Stem25:42 Innovating Sustainable Packaging28:49 Challenges in Pulping Technology34:50 Achieving Quality in Small Scale Pulping39:25 Thermoforming Technology and Future Plans49:10 Choosing the Right Technology for Thermoforming52:43 Understanding the African Market and Product Development57:40 Challenges in Pricing and Production Efficiency01:01:30 Raw Material Sourcing and Transportation Issues01:05:33 Innovations in Coating Technology01:19:55 Vision for the Future of GreenStem🌱 Good Garbage is a podcast about sustainable materials, packaging and regeneration, hosted by Ved Krishna — conversations with the innovators, scientists and founders building a cleaner planet. The question behind every episode: What is Good Garbage? 🌐 Green Stem's Website: https://greenstemproducts.com📱 Green Stem's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/green__stem?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==▶ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@GoodGarbage🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🔗 More: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast💌 Contact us: sargam.krishna@goodgarbage.info

Hello, hello!In this episode of the Good Garbage Podcast, host Ved Krishna sits down with Nima Vakili, Founder & CEO of Safa Bioworks, for a fascinating conversation on circularity, biomaterials, and what it really takes to build sustainable systems in a world still dependent on fossil resources.Coming from a family deeply rooted in petrochemicals and polymer manufacturing, Nima shares his journey from growing up around industrial plastics to creating a company focused on transforming agricultural and organic waste into high-value biomaterials.This conversation explores the intersection of material science, circular economy, innovation, and long-term thinking—while also diving into personal stories about nature, leadership, business, and the role of optimism in creating systemic change.From recycling carpets and creating closed-loop manufacturing systems to building biobased alternatives in the UAE, Nima explains why sustainability isn’t about eliminating plastics overnight—it’s about designing smarter pathways for the future.🎙️ What This Episode ExploresThis conversation goes beyond the usual sustainability narrative and explores what happens when someone from the heart of the petrochemical industry begins asking bigger questions.Can biopolymers coexist with traditional materials?What does circularity actually look like at an industrial scale?How do countries create ecosystems that enable innovation?And what can nature teach us about regeneration and systems thinking?Through personal reflections and practical insights, this episode uncovers how sustainability becomes meaningful when it moves from ideology to execution.If you've ever wondered:•⁠ ⁠Can bioplastics realistically complement traditional plastics? • Why are circular manufacturing systems difficult to scale? • How do regional policies shape sustainable innovation? • What role does nature play in inspiring industrial solutions? • What happens when business and environmental ambition intersect?This episode answers these questions with honesty, curiosity, and optimism.🧠 In This Episode, You'll Learn•⁠ ⁠How Nima transitioned from petrochemicals into sustainable innovation • The realities and limitations of bioplastics adoption • Why circularity is more than recycling • The role of agricultural and organic waste in future materials • Lessons from building closed-loop manufacturing systems • How the UAE is enabling climate-tech and sustainable infrastructure • Why long-term thinking matters in sustainability • The relationship between business, storytelling, and impact • How nature inspires innovation and regenerative thinking • Why the future of materials must focus on diversification—not replacementThis episode is for anyone curious about the future of materials, sustainability, circular economy, and building systems that create value beyond waste.🎬 CreditsProducer: Utsav KurchaniaVideo Editor: Sargam Krishna🌐 Follow & ListenSafa BioWorks: https://safabioworks.com/company Listen on Spotify & Apple PodcastsInstagram: @goodgarbagepodcastLinkedIn: Good Garbage Podcast💭 Let’s TalkIf you had to redesign packaging from scratch—Would you choose biodegradable materials, plastic alternatives, or an entirely new system? Why?

Hello, hello! This week Ved speaks with Caroline DeLoach, Director of Sustainability at Atlantic Packaging, as she shares her journey from a college protester zip-tied to the White House fence to a leader in sustainable packaging. Caroline discusses the pivotal moments that shaped her passion for environmental issues, the challenges of transitioning to sustainable materials, and the importance of noticing the waste we create. Discover how her experiences have influenced her approach to sustainability and her vision for a future where good garbage is garbage we can see and address.Never miss an episode by following us on all our socials by clicking on the link below!⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠Don't forget to turn on your notifications and leave us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌱

Hello, hello! Join us as we delve into the world of sustainable chocolate with Keith Bearden, the visionary behind Alter Eco. Keith shares his journey of transforming the chocolate industry through innovative practices and a commitment to sustainability. Discover how Alter Eco navigates challenges like trade spend, packaging, and carbon neutrality while maintaining their core principles. Keith's insights into logistics, ethical sourcing, and the importance of storytelling in brand growth offer a compelling look at what it takes to lead a purpose-driven company. Tune in to learn how Alter Eco is not just altering chocolate, but the entire ecosystem.Never miss an episode by following us on all our socials by clicking on the link below!⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast⁠⁠Don't forget to turn on your notifications and leave us a review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌱

Hello, hello! Join us for our latest interview as we explore the world of sustainable innovation with Sigrid Svedberg, co-founder of EVLR International. Raised in the ecological farming landscapes of northern Sweden, Sigrid's journey from engineering to pioneering sustainable packaging solutions is nothing short of inspiring. Discover how her Viking heritage and a passion for challenging the status quo would lead to the creation of FiberStrap, a groundbreaking alternative to plastic cable ties. Sigrid shares her insights on entrepreneurship, the importance of sustainable materials, and the future of packaging. Tune in to explore how one woman's vision is reshaping industries and making a positive impact on our planet.Never miss an episode by following us on all our socials by clicking on the link below!https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcastDon't forget to turn on your notifications and leave us a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌱

We're very excited to share this incredibly insightful conversation with the CEO and Founder of NBCo, Alvin Lim, as he shares his journey from growing up in Singapore to becoming a successful entrepreneur in sustainable... packaging.The anecdotes about his sheer determination and impatience to break into the big leagues make this an episode you wouldn't want to miss!From working in accounting with the Big 6 to transitioning to gaming furniture and then to sustainable packaging - he's truly done it all!We get a rare insight into how he took manufacturing challenges head on, as he talks to us about not only cracking the paper bottle formula, but also landing one of the biggest electronics tech company as their client, for whom NBCo produce sustainable corrugated packaging.Never miss an episode by following us on all our socials by clicking on the link below!https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcastDon't forget to turn on your notifications and leave us a review ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 🌱

Hello, hello! Daniel Carraway is the CEO & Co-Founder of RWDC Industries, a biotech company working with nature to produce materials we use in our daily lives. RWDC is a commercial producer of PHA. PHA is an biopolymer made through microbial fermentation of plant-based oils. In this conversation, Ved and Daniel talk about the technology, application and capabilities of this material. They also speak about the success RWDC has had raising money, and how it can be a model for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators. In this episode, Daniel answers what usages their are for PHA, and which one he is most excited for. Never miss an episode by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Don’t forget to turn on notifications and leave us a review! Good Garbage Episode 21 Presented by Pakka

Hello, hello! Sven Seevers is co-founder and CTO of Repaq, a developer, designer, and distributor of regenerative flexible packaging solutions. Based in Germany, Repaq’s compostable products tackle one of the most challenging problems with plastic-free packaging: multilayer flexible films. After watching a TEDx Talk by Cradle2Cradle co-founder Dr. Michael Braungart, Sven was inspired to quit his corporate job and start the company with the help of his wife and best man. In today’s conversation, Sven explains that we need to look to nature for creative solutions to circular economy challenges. Never miss an episode by following us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter! Add to the conversation by using #goodgarbage on social media! Don’t forget to turn on notifications and leave us a review! Good Garbage Episode 19 Presented by Pakka