In 2023, the world’s addiction to plastic became more urgent than ever, with the United Nations issuing a report that declared plastic pollution had become a global emergency. With 1 trillion pounds of plastic produced each year, and less than 10% of that recycled, finding a plastic-free solution to packaging has become one of the most critical environmental issues of our time.
Enter Sway, a US biomaterials startup using polymers found in seaweed to replace petroleum-based plastic while regenerating the Earth’s ecosystems.
“Choosing Sway means actively shifting away from carbon-intensive inputs like petroleum and championing a regenerative resource”
Founded by Julia Marsh, Matt Mayes, and Leland Maschmeyer, Sway is not the first startup to utilize seaweed to replicate plastic, but their products are certainly some of the most impressive. According to Sway, it harnesses extracted polymers known as “phycocolloids” to produce next-generation material that can outperform petroleum plastic’s many useful properties.
Aiming to be a “case study in regenerative design”, Sway’s biobased, clear plastic is also fully biodegradable and can be composted at home.
To obtain its raw material, Sway partners with coastal communities that have been impacted by global overfishing and other ecological hardships and assists them in cultivating seaweed – which the company notes is inexpensive, doesn’t need fertilizers or pesticides, and uses little equipment.
Sway’s entire production process is designed to integrate easily with existing machinery, the startup adds.
Supporting aquaculture
By working with existing infrastructure and applying regenerative practices throughout its supply chain, the company is determined to create materials that “replenish the planet, from sea to soil.” In addition to lifting the burden of plastic pollution off the world’s landfills and oceans, Sway says seaweed aquaculture offers a climate-resilient solution for numerous coastal economies.
To support its mission, the company has so far raised $2.5M in pre-seed funding.
As Sway states online: “Choosing Sway means actively shifting away from carbon-intensive inputs like petroleum and championing a regenerative resource that restores natural and social ecosystems.”
