16 Acquisition International - Influential Businesswoman Awards 2023 May23497 Most Innovative Plastics Alternative Development CEO 2023 (USA): Sharina Perry It’s no secret that petroleum-based plastics have been creating a harmful impact on the world around us for an untold amount number of years. Changes need to be made before it spirals out of control, and Utopia Plastix has taken charge of the pursuit towards maximising the use of plant-based plastic alternatives. At the helm of this selfless company is none other than Sharina Perry – an incredible woman with an eye for how the world should be treated. Since its creation, plastic has directly contributed towards the decline of our planet’s healthy atmosphere. However, as the years have progressed, the reliance on plastic has gotten greater and greater, despite the environment’s deterioration. In 2021, it was estimated that, of 40 million tonnes of plastic wastage, 85% of it ended up in landfill sites. Partner this with the fact that the US was placed within the top ten list of countries with the highest amount of plastic pollution in 2022, and you’re left with a desperate need for a drastic change to be made. Enter Utopia Plastix, founded by Sharina Perry. Following her studies of plant materials in 2018, during which she was investigating the usage of tumour-shrinking plants in response to her nephew’s NF2 diagnosis, she pursued further knowledge on the power contained within a multitude of plants. After studying over 600 white papers, Sharina happened across a staggering realisation – some of the crops that she’d been focused on utilising for health and wellbeing purposes could act as an alternative to petroleum, cotton, and wood. This ultimately led to one faithful day, when Sharina created a plantbased straw from the comfort of her kitchen. It became increasingly clear to her that plant-based plastics could be the solution to the growing issue of petroleum-based plastic wastage, and could even possibly revert the damage that said plastics have caused to the planet. As a result, Sharina sought out to hire experts, and worked with industry leaders in polymers science, engineering, and manufacturing, which all culminated in the now world-renowned Utopia Plastix. As the name suggests, Utopia Plastix is wholly concerned with crafting a better future by creating plant-based alternatives to harmful materials, and is already recognised as a sustainable solution to the world’s growing plastic problem. Utopia Plastix works closely alongside a multitude of production companies and manufacturers who share its vision, and utilises its recyclable, reusable, degradable, and compostable materials to help companies across the globe address carbon reduction, air pollution, waste management, social impacts, and energy savings. Through Utopia Plastix, Sharina has made her mission incredibly clear – to demonstrate holistic sustainability through her Utopia Model. It may seem too good to be true, but Sharina’s brilliance brings forward true hope for the future of our planet’s wellbeing. By introducing plantbased plastics in the place of its harmful counterpart, manufacturers can work towards delivering products that aren’t going to remain in landfill sites for hundreds of years to come. This, partnered with the unique qualities of Utopia Plastix, makes it a no-brainer for each and every production company. When we spoke with Sharina about the details of Utopia Plastix’s impact on the manufacturing process, she had this to say: “Manufacturers report ease of use, lower temperatures during production, enhanced strength properties and lighter density. There are also significant moisture barriers and insulation properties with products made with Utopia Plastix. Manufacturers also do not experience harmful chemical smells during production…”. Manufacturers don’t have to sacrifice utility for environmental consciousness, and Utopia Plastix effortlessly demonstrates this. Of course, implementing such a revolutionary alternative to the most mass-produced material isn’t something that occurs overnight, especially within a predominantly male industry. When starting her entrepreneurial career, Sharina expresses how she was “… the only African American woman in the country serving as a government contractor and national corporate partner…”, and that she was seen as “the antithesis of what the industry looked like”. However, instead of being demoralised, Sharina was empowered by this notion. She was being seen, regardless of people’s opinions of her, and that was enough for her to really start making her company’s presence known. In addition to its overwhelming sense of innovation, Utopia Plastix has set itself apart through its intrinsic attention to detail, accompanied with its dedication towards integrity. The commitment it has towards its overall quality of work is undeniable, and it’s this impressive devotion to the introduction of plant-based plastics that has made it simply impossible to ignore. Sharina really has made a name for herself within the industry, and it’s all thanks to her steadfast resolve and genius approach towards sustainability. When we discussed with Sharina what she believed to be her most crucial accomplishment, she stated that, “My biggest achievement is the work I have done with Utopia Plastix and the Utopia Model.
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