Hardware Podcasts

The Race to Replace Plastic: 2026 SF Climate Week

Hardware to Save a Planet · 4 Jun 2026 · 47m · Episode 100

What this episode covers

Julia Marsh, CEO of Sway, and Molly Morse, CEO of Mango Materials, discuss replacing petroleum-based plastics with seaweed-derived polymers and methane-derived PHA bioplastics. They explain how these materials integrate into existing manufacturing infrastructure and address the complex lifecycle analysis (LCA) required to win over brands. Ryan Starling of frog Design adds that overcoming industry inertia requires proving performance and aligning sustainability with brand storytelling to bypass supply chain resistance.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
Sway, Mango Materials, frog Design, J. Crew, Burton, Dr. Bronner's, Natura, Allbirds, Stella McCartney, Alex Crane, Synapse
Materials
PHA, PLA

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