Slowood has recently joined our ESG Innovation Lab as a social impact partner.
A brainchild of a local Hong Kong couple – Kai and Dora – Hong Kong-based Slowood aspires to be a space where sustainable shopping was effortless and customers can find a wide range of eco-friendly products in one place. The entrepreneurial journey started when the founders experienced burnout in their previous careers and felt the disconnection from their own values. With a strong desire and commitment to pushing sustainability in Hong Kong, Slowood become a member of ESG Innovation Lab.
Let’s dive into the interview and get to know them!
DI: Dream Impact / Slowood: Rebekah, Business Development Director
DI: How does being a member align with your company values?
Slowood: It aligns perfectly! We believe in the importance of community and the power of diverse perspectives, motivating and learning from each other. We also have a strong commitment in sustainability and providing plastic-free and zero-waste organic products to our community. We are dedicated to creating a better future for the next generation.
DI: What new initiatives have you introduced as a member?
Slowood: While we will continue to expand our range of eco-friendly products and explore innovative ways to reduce single-use plastics, we have recently launched Slowood Company Snacking – an initiative to enable offices to significantly reduce plastic in the pantry by going zero-waste with their snacks!
We are also soon to launch ‘REFILL’ – an internally developed, patented, ‘vending’ type machine that will be available within commercial and residential areas in Hong Kong. REFILL will make circularity more accessible to the community. People will be able to refill Personal Care and Household Cleaning Liquids, in any quantity and in any bottle, at convenient locations across the city.
REFILL, a soon to launch initiative, where people will e able to refill personal care and household cleaning liquids, will make circularity more accessible to the community.
DI: What goals and projects have you set as a Lab member?
Slowood: Apart from promoting zero-waste living, reducing plastic waste, and raising awareness about the importance of environmental stewardship, we also hope to connect with corporate partners to introduce initiatives in their companies that make long lasting and impactful change.
DI: Can you share any ESG-related success stories or challenges?
Slowood: The Slowood Company Snacking initiative has proven successful in promoting sustainability in offices. By offering zero-waste snacks, we’ve not only reduced plastic waste but also fostered a sense of community. Over the past year, our clients have saved more than 80 kg of plastic.
While this may seem modest compared to larger sustainability efforts, our partners have shared that Company Snacking has significantly enhanced their workplace culture. It demonstrates a commitment to sustainability, keeps it top of mind for staff, and encourages teams to adopt sustainable practices across the board.
One of the challenges we’ve faced is the misconception that sustainability comes with a hefty price tag. However, by working directly with suppliers, importing, warehousing, and delivering goods ourselves, we’re able to offer affordable prices and make sustainable products more accessible to the community.
DI: If you were a keynote speaker at an ESG conference, what would your message be?
Slowood: Sustainable Living: Small Steps, Big Impact.
I would emphasise that even small changes in consumption habits can make a significant impact when individuals come together to make a collective effort. My talk would heavily focus on ‘habit change’ and the fact that being 1% better is better than not changing at all. Too often sustainable efforts are criticised as ‘not good enough’ but it’s important we are positive and continue to move forwards and celebrate wins – both big and small. Perfection is the enemy of progress – we don’t need to be perfect, just better.
From my experience in Hong Kong, I’ve learnt there are 2 parts in achieving this and they need to happen together: both top down and bottom up. The first part is making change accessible – that sustainable alternatives to conventional items are affordable and convenient to buy. The second is educating, motivating and empowering communities in achieving this together, that people believe that their efforts can make a difference. We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.
Perfection is the enemy of progress – we don’t need to be perfect, just better. We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.
DI: What message would you share with other companies looking to enhance their ESG efforts?
Slowood: Embrace Sustainability as a Journey, Not a Destination. We would advise other companies to start small, take incremental steps towards sustainability, and continuously learn and adapt along the way.
Find out more about Slowood here: https://www.slowood.hk/
About ESG Innovation Lab by Dream Impact x The Executive Centre
A new generation of social enterprise, ESG Innovation Lab by Dream Impact x The Executive Centre serves as a bridge to close the gap between social enterprises, impact ventures and corporations to create intentional and measurable impact.Through Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) innovation, exploration, collaboration, and investment, we set out to change the landscape of corporate-social ESG solutions, from the bottom up.
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