Emissions & plastic packaging top environmental searches for 2023

Climate, biodiversity, and agriculture also ranked highly among the interests of Ubuntoo users. Ubuntoo, launched last month, is an AI system designed for environmental professionals. The platform has already garnered attention from corporate giants like The Coca Cola Company, Target, and Subway.

Distinctive from other large language AI platforms, Ubuntoo is based on an expertly curated database developed over five years, offering tailored solutions and insights. It was created by former Coca-Cola vice presidents Peter Schelstraete and Venkatesh Kini, focusing on practical solutions in areas such as plastic reduction, recycling, energy transition, food & agriculture, and supply chain efficiencies.

Ubuntoo has been posed with questions like ‘Are there biodegradable coatings for waterproofing?’ and ‘What are two ways to drive down emissions at a skincare company?’ since its inception.

The Clorox Company partnered with Ubuntoo to achieve its sustainability goals, including a 50% reduction in virgin plastic and fibre packaging and halving emissions by 2030. Ubuntoo advised on reusable, refillable, and sustainable packaging materials, aiding Clorox in nearing its target of 100 percent recyclable, reusable, or compostable packaging by 2025. Additionally, Clorox has already achieved a 50 percent reduction in emissions by 2023, earning recognition from Barron as the ‘Most Sustainable US Company’ in 2023.

Peter Schelstraete, Co-Founder of Ubuntoo, commented: “It’s encouraging to see such high rankings for emissions and plastic packaging reduction on the Ubuntoo platform. Even those who are the most ambitious struggle to achieve the sustainability targets they set. By combining the collective intelligence of AI and practical human insight, we are helping big name companies to find solutions which are both commercially and environmentally sustainable.”

Sian Sutherland, Co-Founder of A Plastic Planet & PlasticFree, remarked: "It should come no surprise that plastic tops the searches for 2023. Plastic is as much a climate and a health issue as it is a waste issue. With the UN Global Plastic Treaty currently being negotiated, now more than ever we need rapid access to high quality knowledge and solutions. It is only through collective action, real investment, and shared information that we will be able to shift to a truly circular economy. And plastic, however hard we try, is not going to fit into that circle.”