HaPPE Earth’s contribution to climate action. The healthcare industry’s switch from single-use plastic PPE to biodegradable alternatives.
Founded in 2021 by Dr. Mary O’Riordan and Lisa O’Riordan, the Cork-owned business was officially launched in 2023.
HaPPE Earth revolutionizes healthcare with compostable PPE and cost-saving, eco-friendly, end to end waste management for a cleaner future.
Overview
Founding Story
Co-Founders Lisa O’Riordan and Mary O’Riordan were cousins unable to see each other due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. When the cousins finally got the opportunity to catch-up past-COVID, Lisa mentioned the increasing volume of single-use plastics being used throughout the pandemic, especially in the healthcare sector.
Research shows that throughout the pandemic, in 2020 alone, Ireland and England had used over 950 million PPE aprons combined. The increase of carbon footprint caused by PPE alone in the UK was over 100k tonnes.
This drove Mary and Lisa to create a single use compostable apron and thus HaPPE Earth was born.
HaPPE Earth’s Journey
In early 2022, Co-Founder Mary O’Riordan participated in Exxcel female entrepreneurial programme here at the Rubicon Centre. The part-time programme consisted of the fundamental information on all aspects to creating a start-up business.
After completing Exxcel, Mary applied for Enterprise Ireland’s New Frontiers Phase 2, and was selected to participate in September 2022. New Frontiers Phase 2 is a 6-month, full-time commitment. Throughout the programme Mary had ample opportunities including securing Pre-Seed Start Funding from Enterprise Ireland and rolled out a pilot program with the South Infirmary Hospital, Cork where she had the opportunity to trial HaPPE Earth biodegradable aprons.
Their ongoing contribution to climate action has been a success following the introduction of a second product “HaPPE Life Cycle” which is HaPPE’s process of how to become a more environmentally friendly industry where they implement on-site biodigesters which transform the biodegradable products into nutrient fertilizer for horticulture.
HaPPE Earth are expanding their range of products by launching compostable overshoes and mopcaps expected in 2024.
“The greatest advantage of the New Frontiers Programme for our business was gaining a clear sense of direction. The program fostered excellent team spirit and provided guided support, ensuring we knew our goals and how to achieve them from the start.”
Dr. Mary O'RiordanNew Frontiers Phase 2 2022/23
