Sustainability in Action: How We’re Transforming the Disposable Plastics Industry

I've always been driven by the opportunity to create a positive impact. Passionate about sustainability my whole life, I spent my career as a sustainability consultant, working across architecture, film, and TV production.

When I learned it was possible to create plastic from plants, I became obsessed with finding a solution to the plastic waste problem. Inspired, I made the leap into entrepreneurship, and Repurpose was born.

Our initial vision remains the same: to disrupt the disposable plastics industry with a brand of products that are better for the planet and your family. Our products are plant-based, non-toxic, compostable, and high quality. We aim to be a household name—a big hill to climb, but we're working hard to get there!

One consistent "oh sh*t" moment is realizing that, as a small growing company, there's never enough time, resources, or cash. This was something I didn't fully grasp when we first started, leading to many sleepless nights trying to figure out how to survive with limited resources. Thankfully, we've had amazing investors, team members, and supporters who have gotten us through those days.

Resilience is a big piece of this journey. It's your reaction to adversity, not adversity itself, that determines how your story will develop.

I love Repurpose because I'm passionate about sustainability and we have the opportunity to do something positive in the world with our business. I love that we can give others an easy opportunity to join the sustainability movement and that we've kept over 4 million pounds of plastic waste out of landfills.

As a first-time founder, I had no experience when we started, so my vision had little connection with reality in terms of timelines or operations. However, our vision to provide a solution to the plastic problem stays true to this day.

• Lauren Gropper, Founder of Repurpose

Adversity is an inescapable part of life. It comes in many forms - personal loss, professional setbacks, and health challenges. However, as Lauren says, it is not the adversity itself that defines us, but our reaction to it. This crucial distinction shapes our narratives, influencing how our stories unfold and ultimately determine our personal growth and success.?

Adversity, in many ways, is like a sculptor’s chisel. It can either break us down into fragments or carve us into masterpieces. It is our perspective and response that decide the outcome. When confronted with hardship, we are presented with a choice: to succumb to despair or to harness our inner strength and resilience.

Lauren experienced constraints with time, resources and cash. While she experienced sleepless nights learning how to overcome, it didn’t consume her. She illustrates a fundamental truth: adversity isn’t the end of our story but a pivotal chapter that propels us to greatness.?

This isn’t always an easy process. It requires a mindset shift and a willingness to embrace discomfort and uncertainty.?

How do we prepare ourselves to respond to adversity constructively??

Believe in yourself - believe in your ability to learn and grow from challenges. View setbacks as opportunities for development rather than insurmountable obstacles.?

Focus on what you can control - concentrate on actions you can take to improve your situation and move forward.?

Maintain perspective - keep a broader perspective on life’s challenges. Remind yourself that adversity is a temporary phase and better times lie ahead. This perspective can help you stay grounded and focused on your long-term goals.?

By choosing to respond with resilience, optimism and determination, we can transform our stories of hardship into narratives of triumph and growth.?

What tools or strategies do you use to overcome hard times? Share your experiences and tips for building resilience. Let’s inspire and support each other on how to turn adversity into growth.?

If you would like to know more about how I do it, my routines and products that make my life a little less wild, subscribe at rebeccaminkoff.substack.com.?

And if you want to learn more about how to elevate women on a mission to break barriers, join our ecosystem where we provide content, capital, and learning to propel these women to the next level at https://femalefoundercollective.com/