Perhaps not an environmental pollutant that we are used to seeing dealt with, but according to a study, carried out at the University of California Berkeley, the average surfboard creates 375 pounds of CO2 emissions. Another great startup initiative from the HATCH Taronga Accelerator Program 2021, Sine Surf is tackling this environmental issue with their ingenious timber surfboards. Their innovative design and production, using timber and their nanosilica bio-epoxy composite, mean that their surfboards are one of the most sustainable manufactured surfboards on the planet. Read more about the startup here: https://sinesurf.com/

Across the world, tech is modernising and making a difference in the conservation efforts of wildlife. Cloud-based technologies are assisting in expanding the technology rapidly, without the need for extensive human intervention in vulnerable habitats.One eye-catching example is one of HATCH: Taronga Accelerator Program 2021 participants, Spottr. An integrated thermal-optic drone reconnaissance platform making feral management, stock monitoring and wildlife protection more efficient and effective. Providing land managers and scientific databases with the ability to quickly, easily and cost-effectively scan their geographic areas and have it downloaded to their devices. Check out their website: https://www.spottr.tech/

As part of HATCH: Taronga Accelerator Program 2021 Carapac's ocean to earth sustainable plastic packaging solution, made from crustacean shells is addressing the issue of plastic pollution. With only 10% of the world's plastics being recycled each year and soft plastics and packaging being the main culprit, Carapac is offering a solution to the problem. Sourcing natural material to combat the enormous amounts of plastic waste that ends up in the ocean they are keeping it shrimple. By using existing crustacean shells waste as a source they turn it into a sustainable plastic alternative. Check out Carapac here: https://carapac.com.au/

Who knew 18 months ago that QR codes would become such a big part of our lives? QR codes are now something everyone relies on a daily basis, from using the Covid safe app to accessing menus. Businesses and particularly small businesses have had to adapt to the demand, but as with most things, QR codes have their shortcomings. Perth startup Pic it! has created a new app that will replace QR codes and do not require a code, but rather uses image recognition technology to allow users to scan any object or printed material. Learn more: https://startupnews.com.au/2021/07/02/pic-it-and-link-it/

Remember the time before takeaway apps and your only option was to walk to pick up your food? Me neither. The pandemic has made food ordering services a necessity. Startups like Perth based Rewalty, Australia’s first blockchain-based loyalty and food ordering startup are taking advantage of this gap. Filling a gap in the market with their app that has the merchants, customers and delivery drivers as their focus. The food delivery industry has been in the spotlight for the last few years for its treatment of delivery drivers. Unlike others, Rewalty doesn't take any commission from the drivers. Read: https://startupnews.com.au/2021/07/02/the-food-ordering-app-giving-power-to-restaurants-and-drivers/

The plant-based food industry is in the wind at the moment, with the Aussie-founded chicken-free nugget startup, lead by 21-year-old Aussie entrepreneur Ben Pastyernak, Simulate, having just raised $65 million in Series B funding. Getting big-name backers like Reddit founder Alexis Ohanian on board. With products like chicken Nuggs ‘simulation’, declared as "The most advanced chicken nugget on the planet", and the new Discs chicken style burger this is very much a food startup with a tech focus. Read more about the series B funding and Simulate here: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/startupsmart/news/nuggs-reddit-founder-chicken-free-business/