An Edinburgh eco start-up is doubling down on its commitment to tackle climate change following an expansion to take on greenwashing in the fashion industry.
George Greer set up Project Harmless in September 2022 after noticing high concentrations of plastic dog waste bags along the shores of Loch Long while walking his Swiss Shephard, Noah. This gave him the idea to re-purpose a water-reactive, non-toxic and microplastic free material to develop a new class of dog waste bags that dissolve in the open environment.
Since then the business has diversified into new markets with the launch of Harmless Fashion, a range of plastic-free accessories featuring a previously unused tartan designed for the 1970 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games. Products include tote bags, laptop cases, and dog leads.
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“As a purpose-driven business, our products help tackle the growing environmental issue of plastic pollution," Mr Greer said. "Project Harmless started when I realised just how harmful dog waste bags are, and the same goes for fashion.
“Many UK fashion brands claim to be sustainable, but their products are often made outside the UK and EU and most contain several types of plastic. There is a clear gap in the market for an alternative that is genuinely plastic-free and made by craftspeople earning well above the living wage in Scotland."
Having recently extended its presence south of the border by opening a new office in London, Mr Greer said Project Harmless is now looking at new markets such as renewable energy and carbon capture where the business can provide "innovative solutions".
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The company has been supported by the Start Up Loans programme, which is part of the British Business Bank. The money was used to expand the Project Harmless line of sustainable dog waste bags following a surge in demand from consumers in the US.
The company is among 14 new businesses named as ambassadors for the Start Up Loans programme, which is now in its ninth year.
“The initial loan was pivotal when starting up, covering manufacturing costs and building up our inventory, which was key to growing our customer base," Mr Greer added. "I’m thrilled to be selected as an ambassador and hope to inspire others to take the plunge and start their own business.”
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