Zero-waste homewares brand Bamboooloo has raised over $250,000 in crowdfunding to realize its mission to go plastic-free and launch bamboo consumer home products in the UK.
Created and run by The Nurturing Co (TNC), a Singapore-based green food e-commerce startup aims to provide consumers with safer, healthier and more cost-effective alternatives to toilet paper, kitchen paper and facial tissues. consumers reduce their carbon footprint and water consumption by preventing slow deforestation.
Launched in 2018 in the US by co-founder David Ward, TNC toilet paper is a luxury toilet paper made from 100% sustainable bamboo. In addition to sustainable products, the brand also boasts 100% plastic-free packaging. All of his boxes are made from locally sourced recycled wood pulp or locally blended fibres. The same applies to its outer boxes, GrabBag and carton boxes. Plus, they’re all printed with non-toxic plant-based inks, making them reusable, recyclable, biodegradable, and safe for waterways.
In addition to toilet paper, Bambooloo sells a line of bamboo face masks for personal protection, bamboo fiber wipes and launched the CanO water brand in Singapore to help limit plastic bottled water consumption.
It only takes 2.6 gallons of water and 132 grams of carbon to produce 220 sheets of bamboo toilet paper, compared to 37 gallons of water and 440 grams of carbon for wood pulp toilet paper.
We have chosen to launch Bambooloo UK Ltd first in the UK as our first major market outside of Singapore as we believe that the scale of the opportunity, the early and promising development of the sustainable alternatives industry and the improved trade relationship with Singapore creates good opportunities. A set of signals for when carry out this plan
193 investors from the UK and Singapore participated in the oversubscribed crowdfunding of Seedrs shares, all receiving a 7.43% minority stake at a $3.1 million tentative valuation.
Funds raised will help with expansion plans in the UK and help launch new products.
In an interview with e27, co-founder David Ward explained why the company chose the UK to expand its brand. “We decided to launch first in the UK as Bambooloo UK Ltd as our first major market outside of Singapore due to the size of the opportunity we sensed, the early and promising development of the sustainable alternatives industry and the improved relationship with Singapore. Trade relations create good opportunities. A number of signals about the timing of the implementation of the plan.
It’s critical for companies to offer consumers greener options, Ward said. “Every household [needs] everyday essentials in today’s world. But what is important is that in Singapore we see more and more opportunities to connect the services we provide with the overall sustainability goals of the government and the country as a whole. This is in direct line with the goals of the Singapore government to reduce waste, better manage resources and create a smarter and less influential society.”
With over 70% of consumers looking for better alternatives with less environmental impact, we believe now is the time to drive internationalization.
Ward has also developed a program that allows you to customize product specifications to meet specific market needs, avoiding the pitfalls of trying to offer a product for a different market.
In a press release seen by the Green Queen, Ward explained how the program can help meet global demand. “We have developed a turnkey program for our partners with a clear mission to provide affordable, plastic-free sustainable options as quickly as possible. We can provide our partners with our experience and knowledge so they can focus on developing the market while we control production and product development must meet market requirements, but always without plastic and always 100% sustainable.”
Since the latest round of angel funding from TNC and a small group of investors in Singapore and the US, the brand claims to have grown 280% in 2020 despite operational challenges during the global Covid-19 pandemic.
Bambooloo entered the Malaysian market last December through partner Starkers. In addition to Singapore and Malaysia, its products are also sold in New Zealand under a five-year licensing agreement that the brand has with a partner in the country. Looking ahead, the brand plans to raise the next round of Seedrs funding in the summer and early fall of 2021.
Singaporean consumers can purchase its products from e-commerce sites such as Redmart, Cold Storage and Lazada.
Ward said the pandemic has, to some extent, helped raise consumer awareness of their impact on the natural world and that staples such as toilet paper and antibacterial wipes have sustainable alternatives. “With over 70% of consumers looking for higher quality, lower impact alternatives, we believe now is the time to drive internationalization.”
Born and raised in India, Tanuvi Jo is committed to sustainability and believes in the power of storytelling. Through her travels and conversations with people, she raises awareness and offers readers innovative ways to transition to a kinder lifestyle that does more good than harm to the planet. With a background in journalism, travel and sustainability, Tanuvi surrounds herself with books and rants on her Ruffling Wings blog in her spare time.
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Post time: Aug-21-2023