Edinburgh-based Project Harmless, a sustainable dog waste bag start-up, is preparing to clean up across the world, after securing financial support.
Set up during the pandemic by dog lover George Greer, the company has secured funding through Start Up Loan’s delivery partner Virgin StartUp to expand its product line.
Following a surge in demand from markets in Belgium, the US and beyond, the business will also launch a new range of waste bags for larger breeds later this month.
Greer came up with the business idea after noticing high concentrations of plastic waste on the northern shores of Loch Long while walking his Swiss Shepherd, Noah. He into their environmental impact, finding that most 'biodegradable' and 'compostable' bags don’t actually break down for a long time in the open environment or in landfill.
In search of a more eco-friendly alternative, Greer repurposed a water-reactive, non-toxic and microplastics free material - the type used to coat medical pills - to develop a new class of dog waste bags.
Unique from its competitors, Project Harmless’ waste bags dissolve in the open environment, particularly in rivers and oceans, posing no threat to marine life and wildlife.
“Despite the cost of living crisis, our customer base continues to grow,“ said Greer. “In 2022, nearly 10 billion dog waste bags will be used in the UK alone, but unlike other products on the market, Project Harmless provides environmentally conscious pet owners with a planet-friendly way to dispose of waste.
“The Start Up Loans programme has been really useful in helping to cover manufacturing costs and build up our inventory, particularly as we plan to expand into the EU next year.”
The British Business Bank’s programme has already delivered more than 6,300 loans worth more than £55m to new business owners in Scotland since 2012, including more than 770 loans for entrepreneurs in the Scottish capital. Virgin StartUp offers a 12 month programme of support for every business that receives a loan.
Barry McCulloch, senior manager for Scotland at the British Business Bank, said: “The Start Up Loans programme was designed to support entrepreneurs like George with access to funding through alternative avenues, helping smaller businesses with an environmental impact to thrive.
“Our mission is to drive sustainable growth and prosperity across the UK, and to enable the transition to a net zero economy, by improving access to finance for smaller businesses such as Project Harmless.“
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