Scots entrepreneurs create green bottle made from plants to help save the planet

Two young Scottish entrepreneurs have created the world’s first reusable drinks bottle made from sustainably sourced plants.

Recent graduates Jake Elliott-Hook and Amee Ritchie founded S’wheat in 2018 with a mission to help reduce worldwide environmental pollution from single-use plastic.

After studying at Queen Margaret University and Edinburgh College respectively, the pair set out to create an innovative reusable container that was designed with both sustainability and practicality in mind.

The result is a bottle made out of wheat straw and other plant-based materials that can be easily cleaned and will last for years.

Recent graduates Jake Elliott-Hook and Amee Ritchie founded S’wheat in 2018 with a mission to help reduce worldwide environmental pollution from single-use plastic

The bottles have natural ‘eco-insulated’ thermal wall technology built in, allowing them to carry both hot and cold liquids.

Each item comes supplied with a reinforced clip handle to allow it to be easily carried around.

The founders have calculated that every bottle sold can replace 360 disposable vessels.

Two young Scottish entrepreneurs have co-founded the start-up S'wheat after creating the world’s first reusable drinks bottle made from sustainably sourced plants

A trackable and traceable tree will also be planted for each purchase, helping to battle greenhouse gas emissions, while a percentage of profits is donated to ocean charities.

“We wanted to create a new material that would be as durable as plastic but without the negative consequences,” said Mr Elliott-Hook.

“We found everything we needed to do so in nature.”

As well as replacing throwaway plastic, the S’wheat bottle also offers a good and hygienic alternative to reusable metal containers, the founders say.

The project began from humble beginnings, launched via a crowdfunding campaign.

The public responded enthusiastically, pledging more than double the initial fund-raising target.

“Sustainability is the core value of S’wheat and it remains at the heart of everything we do,” he added.

“We are constantly pushing to be the most sustainable brand out there.

“We are very grateful to have the support we’ve been given from our customers and corporate clients as this is what makes it possible for us to make the world a cleaner place – together we can do a lot of good for the world.”

Estimates suggest around 12 million tonnes of plastic rubbish ends up in oceans around the world each year, where it poses a grave risk to sealife.

More than one million seabirds and 100,000 marine animals are thought to die annually as a direct result.

The bottle is being officially launched on 19 May and can be purchased individually or in bulk, with options for personalised branding.

More information is available from the S’wheat website.

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