By introducing innovations in recycling and upcycling, these business leaders are helping ease stress on the planet
The world’s ballooning global population has led to the production of waste at an alarming rate, with The World Bank predicting a 70 per cent increase in waste production—that's 3.4 billion tonnes of trash—by 2050. To tame the chaos of waste, the innovative founders on Asia’s Most Influential list have dedicated themselves to its management, creating sophisticated recycling and upcycling systems that reduce trash and consequently conserve resources and protect the environment. A problem-solving mindset has also led them to create packaging that uses fewer materials and also allows its components to be reprocessed into something useful. Their efforts go a long way in mitigating the negative impact of waste, minimising exposure to disease and chemicals, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and groundwater and soil contamination.
While these entrepreneurs take on the larger challenge of waste management (and encourage responsible behaviour in the process), it is important that individuals do their part, too: reduce, reuse, repair, compost and recycle.
Also read: Environmental heroes fighting for the conservation of endangered animals and plants
Meng Zhou Lin, founder, Da Fon Environmental Technology (Taiwan)
The founder of Da Fon Environmental Technology has advanced recycling operations in Taiwan, introducing innovations such as real-time vehicle tracking, recycling station franchises and community recycling centres, all of which have made operations more efficient, convenient and attractive for everyday users. With the goal of growing his firm into the world’s largest resource recycling operation, Meng Zhou Lin brings modern technology to encourage people to recycle. Lin has developed the Zero Zero app, for example, which lets users find the nearest recycling centre, or make arrangements to have large appliances—and even automobiles—picked up for processing.
In 2023, the company opened the first AI recycling plant in Taiwan, featuring intelligent robot arms that can pick up more than 220 pieces of materials per minute and accurately distinguish various plastic types and even colours and brands—functions that improve screening and resource reuse. In 2022, Da Fon Environmental Technology was also honoured with the Taiwan Circular Economy Award.
Read Meng Zhou Lin’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential
