088: The Importance of Sustainable Product Manufacturing
Jacob Rothman, CEO of Platform88 and Velong Industries, explains how startups can integrate sustainability into their first production runs in Asia. He details the shift in buyer expectations at major retailers like Walmart, Target, and Metro, who now prioritize sustainable materials such as ocean plastic, algae, and recycled stainless steel. Rothman emphasizes that sustainability must be considered from the ideation stage, covering not just materials but also manufacturing processes and community impact, such as building schools in Cambodia.