WEBVTT 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:12.000 (Applause) 00:00:12.000 --> 00:00:18.000 Good afternoon, thank you. 00:00:18.000 --> 00:00:23.000 Thank you for the introduction. 00:00:23.000 --> 00:00:27.000 As you just heard, we sell packaging 00:00:27.000 --> 00:00:31.000 that is disposable, organic and environmentally friendly. 00:00:31.000 --> 00:00:34.000 I don´t know who amongst you, either during your coffee break or lunch hour, 00:00:34.000 --> 00:00:39.000 had the chance to use one of these cups. 00:00:39.000 --> 00:00:43.000 Everyone. (Applause) I´m going to hand them over to you 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:45.000 so I can explain some of the material's characteristics 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:47.000 and so you can touch them and see 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:51.000 that they were Green Pack cups. 00:00:51.000 --> 00:00:57.000 can you do me the favour of passing them around. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:00.000 The disposable organic compounds that we sell 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:02.000 are substitutes for plastic 00:01:02.000 --> 00:01:05.000 but with superior characteristics 00:01:05.000 --> 00:01:10.000 If you have ever bought coffee in a styrofoam cup 00:01:10.000 --> 00:01:17.000 or in a plastic one, you will have ingested more than 23 different toxins 00:01:17.000 --> 00:01:24.000 which is not ideal for drinking coffee. 00:01:24.000 --> 00:01:28.000 So, we are focused on developing new technology 00:01:28.000 --> 00:01:33.000 to make a product that is 100% organic 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:38.000 which is what we are made of. 00:01:38.000 --> 00:01:42.000 We use an inedible corn starch 00:01:42.000 --> 00:01:46.000 which is not approved by the FDA - in case anyone wants to attack me 00:01:46.000 --> 00:01:51.000 for making prices go up - 00:01:51.000 --> 00:01:55.000 Because that's not the case. If we didn´t use this rejected corn 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:57.000 to make packaging, it would be burned. 00:01:57.000 --> 00:02:00.000 So we use an inedible corn starch 00:02:00.000 --> 00:02:05.000 and inedible tuber starch. 00:02:05.000 --> 00:02:09.000 How does this work? 00:02:09.000 --> 00:02:12.000 Well, in reality, thanks to the technology that we have developed 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:15.000 for packaging material, we have made a product that 00:02:15.000 --> 00:02:23.000 has a microscopic porous texture, which enables micro-organisms 00:02:23.000 --> 00:02:25.000 to degrade it 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:29.000 and that is what it really means to be "biodegradable", 00:02:29.000 --> 00:02:31.000 it's the ability for a raw material 00:02:31.000 --> 00:02:34.000 or a finished product to be degraded 00:02:34.000 --> 00:02:39.000 by micro-organisms over a certain period of time. 00:02:39.000 --> 00:02:48.000 Certain plastics have added substances - "OXO" is an example - 00:02:48.000 --> 00:02:51.000 which enables the plastic to degrade 00:02:51.000 --> 00:02:53.000 and to break down, 00:02:53.000 --> 00:02:55.000 but it is never consumed by micro-organisms 00:02:55.000 --> 00:02:58.000 so we're talking about something that is worse 00:02:58.000 --> 00:03:02.000 because it's harder to collect 00:03:02.000 --> 00:03:04.000 and only a small percentage 00:03:04.000 --> 00:03:08.000 of these "OXO" products are compatible 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:11.000 with normal plastic recycling systems. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:15.000 So, it's worse 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:17.000 but really, 00:03:17.000 --> 00:03:19.000 I don't want to talk to you about how harmful plastic is 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:23.000 because I think that we are all aware 00:03:23.000 --> 00:03:28.000 of how harmful plastic is to our ecosystems. 00:03:28.000 --> 00:03:30.000 I took the liberty of including some slides 00:03:30.000 --> 00:03:35.000 so that you can see the things 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:39.000 that happen every day but which we don't see 00:03:39.000 --> 00:03:43.000 these are really alarming pictures. 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:45.000 In this one, it's not that the bags are 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:47.000 really well coordinated. (Laughter) 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:53.000 It's a photoshopped image alluding to what animals eat 00:03:53.000 --> 00:03:58.000 because there are animals that eat jellyfish. There is a food chain 00:03:58.000 --> 00:04:01.000 and it is sad to see animals eat plastic 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:03.000 and then end up dying. 00:04:03.000 --> 00:04:07.000 Two million turtles die every year, solely due to the consumption of plastic 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:12.000 It's a truly alarming statistic 00:04:12.000 --> 00:04:18.000 Can someone tell me what this is? 00:04:18.000 --> 00:04:28.000 No, How about now? 00:04:28.000 --> 00:04:30.000 60,000 plastic bags are eaten 00:04:30.000 --> 00:04:37.000 every 5 seconds, that's astonishing! 00:04:37.000 --> 00:04:41.000 Personally, ever since I was a boy 00:04:41.000 --> 00:04:44.000 I thought it was incredible to be given something disposable 00:04:44.000 --> 00:04:49.000 whose purpose is to be useful for a very short period of time 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:51.000 and then have to throw it away 00:04:51.000 --> 00:04:56.000 and that this raw material takes some 600 to 800 years to bio-degrade. 00:04:56.000 --> 00:05:01.000 To me something doesn't add up, I don't know about you... 00:05:01.000 --> 00:05:07.000 I don't know if you remember before the iPod came out 00:05:07.000 --> 00:05:11.000 what we used to use? Walkmans, Discmans... 00:05:11.000 --> 00:05:13.000 The Walkman was huge. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:17.000 If you went jogging with a Walkman, you would end up like Julio Martinez. 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:20.000 like this... because your shorts would be down here 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:22.000 (Laughter) 00:05:22.000 --> 00:05:23.000 And if you were mugged you could hit the thief 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:27.000 with the Walkman and knock him out. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:33.000 Steve Jobs had a phrase that I really liked, 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:36.000 when he introduced the ipod he said: 00:05:36.000 --> 00:05:39.000 "I like to think that in our own small way 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:45.000 we are making the planet a better place", and that way of thinking 00:05:45.000 --> 00:05:49.000 is what I'm so fond of. 00:05:49.000 --> 00:05:55.000 This is the way we think every day at Green Pack. 00:05:55.000 --> 00:06:00.000 We believe that we are making a change with the product we sell 00:06:00.000 --> 00:06:02.000 and, actually, I don't know if you can tell 00:06:02.000 --> 00:06:05.000 but I speak about this with great passion 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:09.000 and I love my product. 00:06:09.000 --> 00:06:12.000 I'm actually going to change the subject briefly. 00:06:12.000 --> 00:06:18.000 I think the last time I messed up an appointment, 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:22.000 I remember it was a few years ago, 00:06:22.000 --> 00:06:26.000 was when we went to a hennery to develop a new egg box 00:06:26.000 --> 00:06:31.000 and the manager told me: Look, your product is very good 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:35.000 but I need my eggs to be on display. 00:06:35.000 --> 00:06:39.000 (Laughter) 00:06:39.000 --> 00:06:43.000 We didn't have a good start right? 00:06:43.000 --> 00:06:45.000 So, we obviously didn't fulfill this requirement 00:06:45.000 --> 00:06:52.000 because our packaging isn't transparent. 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:59.000 There's a statistic here in Guatemala, that one in every two kids 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:03.000 under 5 years old suffers from chronic malnutrition. 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:06.000 That's alarming! 00:07:06.000 --> 00:07:08.000 If you think about it, that's 50% of all kids 00:07:08.000 --> 00:07:13.000 under 5 years old suffering from chronic malnutrition. 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:16.000 I think it's incredible. 00:07:16.000 --> 00:07:22.000 A few years ago, thanks to my wife, 00:07:22.000 --> 00:07:27.000 I got involved in an organisation called "Un techo para mi pais" 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:32.000 We went to Santa Rosa to help with construction, and since then I've continued 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:34.000 to be involved, 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:38.000 as of that moment my sense of social commitment was awakened. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:42.000 that's why I decided to continue to be involved in this initiative. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:45.000 and I started to experience first-hand 00:07:45.000 --> 00:07:49.000 the level of malnutrition that really exists in these community 00:07:49.000 --> 00:07:51.000 It's staggering! 00:07:51.000 --> 00:07:54.000 The kids are skinny, not because they are from Zacapa 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:57.000 or because it's "cute", no, they're skinny 00:07:57.000 --> 00:08:01.000 because they have a high level of malnutrition 00:08:01.000 --> 00:08:06.000 and that is really alarming, really alarming. 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:08.000 So, after that I decided 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:11.000 I get in touch with my uncle 00:08:11.000 --> 00:08:14.000 who has dedicated roughly 40 years to social service 00:08:14.000 --> 00:08:18.000 I said I had to work with him; I had to meet him 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:20.000 to brainstorm some ideas at the very least 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:21.000 and see what came out. 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:29.000 And I he told me about a plant, 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:34.000 a plant that has 3 times more protein per 100 grams than eggs, 00:08:34.000 --> 00:08:36.000 it has 4 times more calcium than milk, 00:08:36.000 --> 00:08:39.000 7 times more vitamin C than oranges, 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:41.000 3 times more potassium than bananas, 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:46.000 and 2 times more iron than spinach. 00:08:46.000 --> 00:08:48.000 How? 00:08:48.000 --> 00:08:50.000 Incredible! 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:53.000 And besides this, he told me that 00:08:53.000 --> 00:08:55.000 it's one of the fastest growing plants in the world; 00:08:55.000 --> 00:09:00.000 it grows 3.5 meters every 9 months. 00:09:00.000 --> 00:09:03.000 This is great! 00:09:03.000 --> 00:09:05.000 Then he said "pay attention, this is very interesting" 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:09.000 if the seeds are cold pressed 00:09:09.000 --> 00:09:13.000 - in other words put through a simple manual press - 00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:16.000 oil can be obtained. 00:09:16.000 --> 00:09:20.000 This oil has the same properties 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:23.000 as vegetable oil. What does this mean? 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:28.000 It means you can use it to cook. And what's so good about that? 00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:29.000 The nutrients will be passed 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:32.000 from the oil to the food 00:09:32.000 --> 00:09:35.000 this... this can't be. Well, 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:38.000 it's yet another excellent property of this plant. 00:09:38.000 --> 00:09:40.000 Then he says "But that's not all, 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:43.000 after you press the seeds and obtain the oil 00:09:43.000 --> 00:09:48.000 you'll be left with the skin, and in the middle of this skin 00:09:48.000 --> 00:09:52.000 there's a thin layer that's very, very sticky 00:09:52.000 --> 00:09:54.000 that brakes the skin when pressed 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:58.000 and becomes exposed." 00:09:58.000 --> 00:10:02.000 He tells me that I can take a bucket of waste water, 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:07.000 river water, lake water, whatever is close to the community; 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:10.000 I can take the skin and put it in the bucket, 00:10:10.000 --> 00:10:13.000 stir it for about ten minutes, 00:10:13.000 --> 00:10:17.000 and this sticky substance makes the small particles of impurities, 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:22.000 14% of bacteria and the soil stick to it 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:27.000 so that when I remove the skin, all these impurities are removed with it 00:10:27.000 --> 00:10:30.000 I won't get a bucket of drinking water, 00:10:30.000 --> 00:10:33.000 but I will obtain a bucket of water suitable for washing containers, 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:36.000 for washing clothes, and for many other uses 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:39.000 that have developed in the community. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:42.000 It's an incredible plant, it can't be true, and he tells me "that's not all". 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:44.000 (Laughter) 00:10:44.000 --> 00:10:47.000 I'm basically drooling, 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:53.000 He tells me "This plant is used in many countries 00:10:53.000 --> 00:10:55.000 it's native to India, but it's used in many countries 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:58.000 where it is interspersed with other seeds". What does this mean? 00:10:58.000 --> 00:11:02.000 Well, needless to say 00:11:02.000 --> 00:11:07.000 if I'm growing Pimiento Chilies, for example, 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:12.000 I can plant Moringa oleifera trees in between the Pimiento Chilies 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:16.000 and during the dry season their roots have such a capacity 00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:18.000 that they can store enough water 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:23.000 to feed the crops during the dry season. 00:11:23.000 --> 00:11:25.000 This means that not only is the plant good for eating 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:29.000 but it also helps other crops to grow. 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:33.000 Impressive, I thought this was impressive. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:35.000 From there 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:40.000 we decided to start the project. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:42.000 I said "I've got to do something with this plant, now!" 00:11:42.000 --> 00:11:48.000 and so we implemented it in Green Pack. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:52.000 And it has been a way to trade 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:55.000 whilst being socially responsible. Why? 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:57.000 Because people are interested in showing our product 00:11:57.000 --> 00:12:03.000 because it is very innovative and low cost 00:12:03.000 --> 00:12:09.000 and here's where I give you the key word: It's sustainable 00:12:09.000 --> 00:12:13.000 This plant foliates year-round 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:16.000 it continues to grow and produce seeds 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:23.000 and the results in the community have been outstanding! 00:12:23.000 --> 00:12:29.000 The 3.5 meters that grow every 9 months did even better, 00:12:29.000 --> 00:12:34.000 we managed 4 meters in 7 months. This is incredible! 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:37.000 The soil in Guatemala is very fertile 00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:43.000 and it's obviously suited to growing this plant. 00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:48.000 We introduced it using a very simple method, as I'm telling you. 00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:53.000 I repeat: it's sustainable, low cost, 00:12:53.000 --> 00:12:58.000 and uses a small amount of resources, yet it's effective. 00:12:58.000 --> 00:13:01.000 We take the plant.... 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:04.000 we have more than 37 families currently enrolled in the 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:07.000 pilot scheme in San Basilio Suchitepéquez. 00:13:07.000 --> 00:13:12.000 And this is just the beginning of what we intend to cover 00:13:12.000 --> 00:13:17.000 across the entire region; it's a very, very simple system. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:20.000 This is literally the first family 00:13:20.000 --> 00:13:22.000 that we helped here in San Basilio 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:25.000 and, well, the clip that you see here is our film 00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:28.000 it's biodegradable. So it's a social program 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:32.000 with no environmental impact, which is also very important 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:35.000 that's something we're very proud to be able to say. 00:13:35.000 --> 00:13:39.000 We also produce a homemade fertilizer. 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:43.000 What does it include? It contains onions, garlic, 00:13:43.000 --> 00:13:50.000 detergent for washing dishes, cigar tobacco. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:55.000 A good use for tobacco, right? 00:13:55.000 --> 00:14:02.000 Again, it's something that is very low cost 00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:10.000 and it works. This is the first harvest 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:13.000 - we're already growing the plant here - 00:14:13.000 --> 00:14:16.000 this is the first harvest that we were able to produce. 00:14:16.000 --> 00:14:20.000 After approximately two months 00:14:20.000 --> 00:14:23.000 we decided to implement a barrier... 00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:24.000 because one of the problems we encountered 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:28.000 was that plagues of ants were eating the harvest Just like any other project, 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:32.000 there are always flaws in the beginning. But you have to correct them. 00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:38.000 So we decided to introduce one of these biodegradable cups, 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:41.000 we cut it here and placed it around the stem 00:14:41.000 --> 00:14:43.000 then filled it with fertilizer. 00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:46.000 This means we can optimize the use of fertilizer 00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:49.000 by only having it around the stem. 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:53.000 Water is also optimized because only a certain area needs watering 00:14:53.000 --> 00:14:59.000 We use 8 ounce cups, which are watered with 8 ounces of water. 00:14:59.000 --> 00:15:04.000 It is a really wonderful plant. Like I said, 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:08.000 this is the plant that, after 6 months, 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:13.000 had already reached a height greater than expected; 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:18.000 which meant that the project works. 00:15:18.000 --> 00:15:22.000 So then, how is it used? 00:15:22.000 --> 00:15:25.000 We teach workshops to the community on how to use the trees 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:30.000 and, well, the truth is they ended up giving me a workshop 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:31.000 on how to harvest 00:15:31.000 --> 00:15:34.000 because obviously I'm not going to teach them how to harvest crops 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:37.000 when they have been doing this their entire lives. 00:15:37.000 --> 00:15:40.000 So, it is a very simple process and everything is manual: 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:44.000 The plant is cut, and then left to dry for 4 days, 00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:48.000 after exactly 4 days, it goes through a manual sieve 00:15:48.000 --> 00:15:52.000 and it is sieved using a spoon. Simple. 00:15:52.000 --> 00:15:54.000 This gives what is called 00:15:54.000 --> 00:15:57.000 Moranga flour or Moringa flour. 00:15:57.000 --> 00:16:00.000 This Moringa flour is what contains all the nutrients 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:04.000 that I told you about earlier 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:09.000 and this Moringa flour is used in meals typical to the community 00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:14.000 such as tortillas, chicken soup, 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:19.000 and I'd like to tell you, it makes me very proud 00:16:19.000 --> 00:16:23.000 to have reached the community, 00:16:23.000 --> 00:16:26.000 and be greeted with chipilín and moringa tamales. 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:29.000 To see them using it and creating their own recipies 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:34.000 it was amazing, very amazing. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:38.000 And, finally, the rationing of Moringa. 00:16:38.000 --> 00:16:42.000 Why do we ration it? Because we have strategic partners, 00:16:42.000 --> 00:16:47.000 and I'll take this opportunity to thank New Guatemala, 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:49.000 through these partner foundations 00:16:49.000 --> 00:16:53.000 we want to bring the Moringa to communities 00:16:53.000 --> 00:16:57.000 where it cannot be grown, 00:16:57.000 --> 00:16:59.000 because chronic malnutrition is a problem 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.000 not only where this plant grows 00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:03.000 but throughout the entire country. 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:07.000 So we ration it, using biodegradable packaging as always. 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:09.000 (Laughter) 00:17:09.000 --> 00:17:13.000 And so that is the reason we ration. 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:16.000 It makes me sad, very sad. 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:22.000 When I arrived in San Basilio, I saw the Health Center looking like this... 00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:28.000 it was desolate and abandoned, I don't know for how long 00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:30.000 But, what happens to these health centers? 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:32.000 There's enough budget to buy Incaparina 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:34.000 for a period of 3 months, to buy protein, 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:37.000 to buy vitamin A and vitamin C 00:17:37.000 --> 00:17:41.000 But, what happens after those 3 months? 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:46.000 Now there is no budget. And so it isn't followed up. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:53.000 In my opinion there is a solution, if you'll forgive the repetition, 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:59.000 a sustainable and low cost solution that can continue feeding 00:17:59.000 --> 00:18:02.000 the community of San Basilio. Not only that, 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:04.000 but it also generates a revenue for the community 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:07.000 The only way to get to San Basilio by car 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:14.000 requires over an hour's drive on a dirt track. 00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:19.000 A very rough dirt track I might add, not just any path. 00:18:19.000 --> 00:18:22.000 And so, no matter how much they harvest, 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:25.000 it is all used to feed themselves. They don't sell anything, 00:18:25.000 --> 00:18:30.000 because no one goes all the way there to buy things. 00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:33.000 And that's our work, channelling sales 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:38.000 to generate income for the community 00:18:38.000 --> 00:18:43.000 and transport the Moringa to other malnourished communities. 00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:46.000 And I hope this is only the beginning of a project 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:52.000 that will include many regions in Guatemala, 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:55.000 because it's an ambitious project. 00:18:55.000 --> 00:19:03.000 For me, it's a pleasure to bring opportunity to the community of San Basilio. 00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:05.000 You must get to know the people of San Basilio. 00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:10.000 I urge the companies and individuals present here today 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:14.000 to pay special attention 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:18.000 to corporate social responsibility 00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:21.000 because if every company took action, 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:25.000 Guatemala would be different. 00:19:25.000 --> 00:19:29.000 (Applause) Thank you. 00:19:29.000 --> 00:19:41.000 (Applause)