[Singapore] From sustainable fabrics to e-waste recycling, these five companies are creating new or improved solutions to long-standing sustainability challenges.
They are finalists for the Emerging Enterprise Sustainability Awards (EESA), launched in 2023. This award recognizes small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) driving green economic growth.
EESA is part of the broader Emerging Enterprise Awards. Established in 2008, this award recognizes startups and young businesses in Singapore and across Asia, providing them with resources to support their growth.
This year's awards are presented by The Business Times and OCBC, and supported by Mastercard, Rajah & Tann Asia, RSM Singapore, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), Enterprise Singapore, and Paia by CBRE.
Smart sorting, seamless recycling
Cornerstone Smart Recycling bins can sort waste and track filling data.
Through innovative sensor technology and data-driven operations, Cornerstone Smart Recycling simplifies waste collection and recycling processes, helping individuals and businesses in Hong Kong and overseas reduce their environmental footprint.
Our waste management solutions divert large quantities of waste away from landfills through efficient source separation and advanced recycling systems.
We offer a variety of Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart recycling bins that facilitate the collection of a wider range of recyclable materials.
For example, our reverse-flow vending machines feature automated sorting capabilities, improving the quality and value of recycled materials.
Through multi-category recycling and pollution reduction strategies, we maximize material recycling rates and resource efficiency.
Our smart bins provide real-time data on sorting and filling levels, optimizing collection routes and reducing operational carbon footprint.
Our technology integrations include partnerships with third-party loyalty programs to incentivize user engagement.
We have also pioneered high-capacity food waste processing technology. Our systems can accept multiple types of recyclables, making our solutions adaptable and scalable to diverse urban environments.
Beyond technology, our platform directly connects communities with downstream recyclers, ensuring collected materials are recycled or upgraded into valuable new products, supporting the circular economy.
We are expanding into new markets in Asia, targeting urban centers facing pressing waste management challenges. We also provide smart bin solutions for suburban and rural homes.
Our long-term vision is to make Cornerstone Smart Recycling a global leader in sustainable waste management by continuously advancing technology, fostering community collaboration, and driving measurable environmental impact globally.
Furthermore, we aim to vertically expand, developing in-house processing capabilities to become a full-cycle recycling company.
Combining Sustainability and Social Innovation
Daur Langkah Bersama (Pable) uses technology to closely link communities with recycling.
Founded in 2020, Pable combines traditional weaving techniques with modern recycling technology to transform textile waste into new value.
Indonesia faces a growing challenge of textile waste, projected to increase from 2.3 million tons in 2019 to over 3.9 million tons in 2030.
Pable is turning this problem into an opportunity through circular innovation: by 2024, it had recycled over 420 tons of textile waste and 140,000 pieces of discarded clothing into renewable materials.
This initiative is estimated to have saved 383 million liters of water and 8,400 square meters of landfill space, while creating new green jobs and driving a more sustainable textile ecosystem.
Through mechanical recycling, we produce Pabtex, Indonesia's first 100% recycled textile, certified to the international RCS 100 standard.
This sustainable fabric, produced by the weaving community, is a high-quality alternative to traditional textiles.
Our post-consumer waste management service, Pabmove, includes a program for handling used uniforms, preventing them from ending up in landfills by transforming discarded uniforms into renewable materials for new products.
We are also integrating a digital waste tracking system to measure our impact. Our work connects apparel brands, recyclers, and artisans into a transparent circular ecosystem, scaling sustainability across Indonesia.
Pable is upgrading its micro-recycling plant in Surabaya and seeking Global Recycled Standard certification to improve quality and traceability.
We are collaborating with global apparel brands to accelerate commercial adoption and plan to recycle 17,000 tons of textile waste by 2040.
By establishing an integrated textile recycling zone, Pable will connect sorting, recycling, and weaving facilities to expand into apparel-grade materials, achieving a scale impact on both the environment and the economy.
Hydroleap: Injecting New Momentum into Water Treatment Technology
Hydroleap eliminates chemicals and uses electricity to remove pollutants.
Hydroleap helps businesses achieve their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, thereby helping to protect one of the world's most precious resources: water.
We treat industrial wastewater using advanced electrochemical systems, making the process more cost-effective and sustainable.
We replace traditional, chemical-heavy methods-using electricity to remove pollutants-with cleaner, automated, and energy-efficient solutions.
Our systems consume less energy, produce cleaner water that can be safely reused or discharged, supporting the transition to a circular economy.
Our modular and scalable systems can be integrated into existing or new facilities, ranging from data centers to manufacturing plants in semiconductors, palm oil, and pharmaceuticals. We help these facilities reduce chemical use and operating costs, and lower their carbon footprint.
We delve into how to integrate or interoperate our electrochemical technologies with existing treatment methods. This means businesses can smoothly transition to more environmentally friendly alternatives without abrupt, disruptive changes.
We are integrating digital tools such as IoT monitoring and artificial intelligence (AI) to make our systems smarter, more automated, and more resilient. This enables our customers to monitor performance in real time, improve efficiency, and reduce maintenance costs.
Hydroleap is focused on expanding its presence in the Asia Pacific region, including North Asia, as well as the Middle East and other areas. We are preparing for our next funding round to support our growth and geographic expansion.
In the long term, our goal is to become a global thought leader in sustainable water treatment, transforming how water resources are managed in industry by establishing chemical-free, energy-efficient solutions as the new standard for environmental sustainability.
This requires redefining how industries view wastewater. Wastewater is actually a valuable resource if it can be recycled, reused, and managed sustainably.
By promoting our technology, we hope to help more companies operate responsibly and contribute to creating a cleaner, more environmentally friendly, and water-efficient future.
