Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Labbe-Bellas.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
In 2015, I was invited to participate on an all-female sailing voyage with an all-female crew of international ocean leaders called expedition. Our mission was to make the unseen seen, from the toxics in our bodies to the toxics in our seas. As a marine biologist and ocean advocate, I became obliged to join the fight of
plastic pollution in our oceans. Upon return from this voyage, I had an idea and started to stencil it down. Fired up with determination and passion, I created The Green Stop.
I worked for ocean conservation non-profit Sylvia Earle Alliance Mission Blue and spent 3 years at Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) working in the field of marine conservation research and outreach. During this time, I also felt the need to create changes in my own workplace and established a small committee (SIO for Sustainability) to improve Sustainability on our campus.
Nowadays, I am working with the leaders of the movement in ocean plastic pollution, the 5 Gyres Institute, a non-profit based in LA. Being involved in this field inspired me to take The Green Stop a bit further. I went back to that idea I had a few years ago and decided that I would dedicate my time to furthering the concept of the Green Stop. I wanted to create alternative solutions of source reduction of plastic pollution. In my last year working at SIO, I entered in UCSD’s Triton Innovation Challenge and pitched The Green Stop. This was when I found my business partner, an MBA student at Rudy School of Management. We made it to the top 5 final rounds and were awarded our first start-up prize of $2,500 along with the Audience Award. Currently, we are determining our incorporation type, signing-up for pitch competitions, and meeting with potential customers (city officials, and decision-makers).
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has been a long journey, even though it’s only been two years. When this idea of The Green Stop popped into my head, I was sure it was going to be created, prototyped and running within the year. I realized that being an entrepreneur requires time, patience, and flexibility to let stuff go and push the reset button. I also learned that I can’t do this alone, and by sharing my idea with people, would encourage me to open up and ask for help. When I let my ego go, a whole new world of support, partnership and networking opened up to me.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about The Green Stop – what should we know?
Plastic is polluting our oceans and beaches, it is estimated that over 8 million metric tons is entering our oceans each year, and 80% of this plastic is land-based. Cleaning up our beaches and waterways is costly: the state of California spends $US 34 million/yr. on removing plastic off their beaches. In addition, it is estimated that the annual loss of tourism revenue in the US is $120M.
Instead of focusing on the downstream efforts (clean-ups), our company is providing a proactive solution to reducing plastic pollution and creating educational awareness and ensuring that tourism and outdoor activities can continue to be an enjoyable experience. Moreover, there is a need for companies to help cities achieve their zero-waste goals, which for the City of San Diego, is by 2040.
The Green Stop is a mobile, solar-powered, waste-free refill station that can be used at the beach to
reduce plastic pollution and provide filtered and chilled drinking water to beachgoers. It will help reduce plastic pollution by removing the use of plastic bottles and other to-go items that beachgoers might need. This station will be connected to a local water supply. It will also offer plastic-free vending items such as bamboo straws, and reusable utensils and metal water bottles. Future add-ons will include bulk-dispensed sunscreen made with eco-friendly materials. To this date, no one has thought about offering 100% sustainable services and plastic-free items, especially at our beaches.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
I believe that our success is based on a combination of two qualities: 1- being expertise on the issue of ocean plastic pollution and 2- being the ability to operate as a sustainable corporation (b-corps).
Pricing:
- 1 Green Stop station will be priced at $15,000
- Maintenance of station will be provided by the Green Stop
- Environmental Services (Cities) and/or Corporations or NGOs will be recognized on the station as sponsors
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thegreenstop.co
- Phone: 3102519236
- Email: rachbellas@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego, Giovanni Lanni, Mario Diez
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