Prince William recently combined his interests in the Earthshot Prize and sports during a special engagement at The Kia Oval Cricket Ground in south London. The visit was to celebrate the success of sustainable packaging startup Notpla, a winner of the Earthshot Prize, in securing a multi-million dollar deal with Levy UK + Ireland.
Notpla's seaweed-based food packaging will be introduced at over 50 sports and event venues, including The Kia Oval Cricket Ground, O2 Arena, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, and Wimbledon Championships. The partnership with Levy UK + Ireland will see the use of approximately 75 million Notpla items over the next three years, contributing to their climate-friendly goals.
Prince William played a crucial role in facilitating the collaboration between Notpla and Levy, underscoring his commitment to promoting sustainable practices. During his visit, the Prince met with Notpla co-founder Pierre Paslier, officials from The Kia Oval and Levy UK + Ireland, and witnessed the packaging in action at the stadium kitchen.
Notpla's Earthshot Prize win has propelled the company's growth, enabling them to scale operations, expand their team, and invest in research and development. The innovative packaging has already prevented 7.2 million pieces of single-use plastics from entering the environment.
Established in 2020 by Prince William, the Earthshot Prize aims to recognize and support impactful solutions to environmental challenges. Winners receive $1.2 million and assistance to implement and scale their initiatives. The upcoming Earthshot Prize ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa, is part of the ongoing commitment to fostering sustainable practices globally.
Prince William's involvement in promoting environmental initiatives extends beyond the Earthshot Prize, as evidenced by his Homewards project to address homelessness. His dedication to leveraging the Duchy of Cornwall's resources for social good underscores his modern vision for the estate.
The Prince's upcoming engagement at the Earthshot Prize Launchpad celebration highlights his ongoing efforts to connect investors and philanthropists with innovative environmental solutions, furthering the impact of Earthshot Prize winners.
