Solving plastic pollution at the source

Searious Business is a social enterprise that partners with major brands and organizations to reduce their plastic waste. Plastic pollution is a global crisis that must be solved at source. The company recently moved to a larger location at Strijp-S. “Our office is surrounded by other young dynamic start-up companies and that energy is contagious,” says Willemijn Peeters of Searious Business. 

Companies are the real catalysts of change

It all started when Willemijn Peeters saw the TED talk by Sylvia Earle (American oceanographer, deep-sea researcher and author), which showed the effects of plastic pollution on our ocean. Willemijn says: “It made such an impression on me that I knew I had to do something about it. Then I saw what Boyan Slat was doing with the Ocean Clean Up project. I was so inspired by his drive to find solutions, but it also occurred to me that there is no point in cleaning up while a garbage truck of plastic is still driving into our ocean every minute. I had to tackle it at the source, before it becomes waste.” For years Willemijn has worked on sustainability in and with cooperatives. It became clear that companies are the real catalysts of change. “I'm good at helping companies make change. That is why I started Searious Business”, Willemijn says.

The ultimate mission? No plastic in our ocean

Before starting to clean up the pollution, the 'production tap must first be turned off'. According to Searious Business, this starts with business. The team of sustainability experts shows companies how to reduce their plastic footprint through the circular principles of reduce, reuse and recycle. “The traditional linear system of take-make-waste cannot continue, we have to evolve towards the circular economy in which materials are used and reused over and over again,” Willemijn explains. To achieve such a sustainable change, they convince companies that it is also profitable to switch to circular plastic use. In addition to working with commercial clients, Searious Business also works on larger international projects with governments, recyclers, brand owners and NGOs to drive system-level transformation. The ultimate mission? No plastic in our ocean. 

Sustainability can be a great business opportunity

Success is measured in terms of impact. The goal is to reduce as much plastic waste as possible and reduce the negative impact on our ocean. Sustainability is not without obligation, it is essential for our planet, for future generations and for companies. But sustainability should not be seen as a burden, it can be a great business opportunity. Searious Business' sustainable solutions not only reduce plastic waste, they help customers stay relevant, increase market share and open different markets in this rapidly changing world.

We can't keep throwing away

While Searious Business believes the plastic pollution crisis will not be solved by individual actions, there is still plenty you can do as an individual to make a difference. “Change your mindset towards plastic and stop seeing it as disposable. Encourage companies around you to change. We cannot keep throwing away, there is no escaping it!, says Willemijn.

Strijp-S is the hub of design technology

Searious Business has been located at Strijp-S for a long time. Recently they have moved to a bigger location. There have been many developments in the area in recent years. Willemijn explains: “I expect it to continue to play a central role in the city's economy. I hope it keeps its pioneering spirit, it's such an inspiring place to be. Strijp-S is the hub of design technology in Eindhoven and we wanted to be part of that, join the changemakers. Our office is surrounded by other young dynamic start-up companies and that energy is contagious.”

Would you also like to work at Searious Business?

The year 2022 has started very well for Searious Business with many new customers and projects in the pipeline. The systemic change project in Morocco to tackle single-use plastics made in supermarkets is entering the scaling phase, which is very exciting. Last year Searious Business introduced a deposit system for the recycling of PET bottles in the supermarkets Marjane and Carrefour, comparable to the deposit system in the Netherlands. A reusable container schedule for the deli counters has also been designed. The project was so well received by customers that supermarkets have decided to roll it out to more stores across the country. Now that all these new projects are underway, the team is expanding further. So are you ambitious and curious to learn more? View the vacancies on the website.

Do you want to follow the developments of Searious Business? Then view the website.

Address: Torenallee 28-18, 5617 BD Eindhoven
Website: www.seariousbusiness.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/seariousbusiness
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/serious-business