At a time when the climate crisis demands both urgency and innovation, Evergreen Labs stands as a beacon of what’s possible when profit and purpose are not at odds—but allies. Co-founded by Dr. Kasia Weina and her husband Jan Zellmann, Evergreen Labs reimagines business not as a source of environmental problems, but as a powerful tool for long-term, systemic solutions.
“Rather than a lightning-bolt moment, Evergreen Labs grew from a deepening conviction that business could be a powerful force for positive change,” Dr. Weina shares. What began as a support system for budding entrepreneurs quickly evolved when she and Zellmann saw a pattern: promising, often localized solutions were failing to reach communities that needed them most.
“That realization prompted us to pivot from supporters to builders, creating solutions from the ground up that were deeply contextualized to local realities yet designed for scale.”
Their contrasting backgrounds—her scientific research mindset and his finance expertise—formed a foundation of “productive tension,” pushing each other’s ideas while harmonizing their strengths. That dynamic gave rise to a creative business lab that now operates in Vietnam, the Philippines, and has headquarters in Singapore. But for Evergreen Labs, it’s not about geography. It’s about mindset.
“At Evergreen Labs, we don’t see sustainability as a checkbox or marketing angle—it’s woven into the DNA of every venture we build,” Dr. Weina emphasizes. From tackling plastic pollution to reshaping agricultural value chains, the company operates under a core belief: that viable, scalable businesses can be born directly from environmental and social pain points.
Their ventures don’t aim for a niche premium market; they aim for where the need is greatest. “We specialize in creating circular economy solutions that work in real-world markets, not just in theory or for premium segments,” she explains. Evergreen Labs has responded to issues like fragmented waste systems with market-based plastic recovery solutions, and to the dominance of single-use culture with financially viable reuse and refill models.
These aren’t theoretical blueprints—they’re real-world innovations, functioning without the crutch of constant donor support. “The financial sustainability of our ventures ensures we can scale solutions beyond donor cycles, while our impact metrics keep us accountable to our mission,” Dr. Weina notes. “This integrated approach isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential for creating lasting change.”
Yet building something so radically different hasn’t been without struggle. In its early days, Evergreen Labs faced deep skepticism. “We faced a double credibility gap—convincing stakeholders that environmental solutions were viable businesses, while also establishing ourselves as newcomers in Southeast Asia without regional track records,” she recalls. “The pushback often came in subtle forms: polite nods followed by unanswered emails, or the suggestion that our models were ‘too idealistic’ for emerging markets.”
But the team persisted. And they found their first few believers—investors who understood the depth of what they were doing. “These weren’t just any investors; they were people who understood that our business models were designed to be robust precisely because they addressed real environmental and social challenges.”
One of Evergreen Labs’ standout ventures is ReForm Plastic, a decentralized upcycling system tackling the most challenging waste streams. “This technology suite converts traditionally difficult plastics—the ones typically destined for landfills or waterways—into durable, high-value products with real market demand,” Dr. Weina explains. Now operating 15 social franchise factories across South Asia and Africa, ReForm Plastic not only processes waste but also powers local economies.
In the Philippines, Evergreen Labs is carving a path toward inclusive extended producer responsibility (EPR). “We’re deliberately designing models that integrate and empower informal waste collectors—ensuring they receive fair compensation and recognition as essential environmental service providers,” says Dr. Weina. This approach co-creates infrastructure with local governments, builds community-based systems, and promotes accountability through transparent material tracking.
“The Philippine context presents unique challenges and opportunities for circularity, and we’re focused on solutions that honor local realities while connecting to global sustainability goals,” she says.
Convincing businesses and communities to embrace circular solutions has never been simple—but Evergreen Labs doesn’t lead with idealism; it leads with evidence. “We demonstrate how our circular solutions can outperform linear alternatives on metrics they already care about: cost efficiency, product performance, risk reduction, and brand value,” Dr. Weina explains.
This pragmatism, matched with a proof-first philosophy, has turned doubters into partners. “When we launched our first Glassia refill facility, many industry experts said our model wouldn’t work economically. Rather than arguing, we built it, operated it profitably, and invited skeptics to see it firsthand.”
The momentum is growing. “Consumer expectations, regulatory pressures, and climate realities are creating momentum for circular solutions,” Dr. Weina observes. “Our role at Evergreen Labs isn’t just to build individual ventures but to help accelerate this broader transition by proving that circular models can thrive in the real world.”
As Evergreen Labs continues to expand and deepen its roots in Southeast Asia, its mission remains clear: to demonstrate that businesses don’t have to choose between profit and the planet. With each venture, Dr. Kasia Weina and her team continue to prove that sustainable businesses aren’t a pipe dream—they’re already here, transforming lives and systems for the better.
