In a recorded message, Min. Audrey Tang, Digital Minister for Taiwan, described how open innovation is the cornerstone of borderless efforts to tackle shared challenges around sustainability for the future. Taking the stage, Hope King, Business Reporter at AXIOS, opened the discussion around upcycling trash. Arthur Huang, Founder & CEO of Miniwiz Co., Ltd, explained that recycling often doesn’t work because of contamination, so he set out to figure out cross-silo innovation. Modeling his own suit made from fully-upcycled materials, Huang described how his company transforms trash into buyable products like building materials and furniture.
Huang also explained why he moved operations to Taiwan. There are smart people everywhere, he said, but Taiwan offers access to manufacturers and testing within a short physical distance, which allows for quicker innovation. As the company expands, Huang plans to use local resources rather than centralizing production. But, to make this kind of innovation more financially attractive, the market needs demand. Companies should think about purchasing locally-sourced procurement items as an easy way to improve sustainability.
“Governments have a tremendous part to play in getting the circular economy to work.”
Arthur Huang, Founder & CEO, Miniwiz Co., Ltd
“It takes a lot of investment to change what we have been accustomed to in the supply chain.”
Hope King, Business Reporter, AXIOS
“Our presidential hackathon, an important area for public, private, and social sectors to collaborate with international partners on sustainability-related problems, provided many innovative solutions.”
Min. Audrey Tang, Digital Minister, Republic of China (Taiwan)
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