Summary

Gaeastar aims to replace plastic and paper cups typically used in the convenience food industries. Rather than using paper or plastic, Gaeastar utilizes local clay to create biodegradable cups using clay, water, salt and sand. These cups are inspired by clay chai cups that have been used in this way for centuries in India. The company recently partners with California coffee chain Verve that is piloting these cups in three stores in California as of the date of this post. To make these cups scalable, the company has developed a 3D printer that is able to work with the ingredients and is able to produce a cup in about 30 seconds. (Source)  The cups are designed to crumble into dust and readily reintegrate into soil anywhere. The company envisions a future where the 3D printer machine is easily accessible by convenience stores so that cups and plates can be easily created and can be disposable if needed, meeting the need for convenience with today’s consumers. (Source)

Story

Founder Sanjeev Mankotia was inspired by potters in India who procure clay from river beds and quickly make them into crude shapes to sell them to tea vendor. These cups are reused and ultimately go back into the Earth. Mankotia wanted to bring a similar sustainable concept to America. The idea was percolating for over 15 years while he worked in various other industries and finally launched the company in 2021 in San Francisco. (Source)

Pic credit: Wired (right) and Techcrunch (top)