CREATEIn which areas of Los Angeles will you be directly working?
County of Los Angeles
In what stage of innovation is this project?
Applying a proven model or solution to a new issue or sector (e.g, using a job recruiting software or strategy to match clients to supportive housing sites, applying demonstrated strategies from advocating for college affordability to advocating for housing affordability and homelessness, etc.)
What is the need you’re responding to?
Food waste creates 3.3 billion tons of greenhouse gases. 128 million tons of milk are thrown away every year globally. The world doesn't need another food delivery service, it needs a solution to solve food waste.
Currently, there are two types of fibers in the world: petroleum-based (ex. polyester) and plant-based (ex. cotton, bamboo, modal, etc.). We are creating a third type of fiber, which is made from food waste.
Why is this project important to the work of your organization?
Fashion is the second most polluting industry in the world. In order to save the fashion industry issue, we have to target the root problems, which are the big fashion/apparel brands. We are the perfect team to deliver the result. Robert is a three-time entrepreneur. He sold his first company for $300,000 while he studied at the University of Southern California. He is a Forbes Under 30 Scholar and Global Shaker's Sustainable Fashion Innovator 2019. He is also an Entrepreneur Hall of Fame at the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business. We have a team of Ph.D. material scientists and chemists.
Approximately how many people will be impacted by this proposal?
Direct Impact: 4,000
Indirect Impact: 100,000,000
Please describe the broader impact of your proposal.
We can reduce LA's food waste problem, the fashion pollution problem, and the plastic problem. We would like to collaborate with supermarkets to recycle and reuse their milk waste into fibers for apparel factories.
We would replace plastic packaging with milk waste packaging.
Our process uses 60% less water than cotton.
Please explain how you will define and measure success for your project.
There are two trajectories for Mi Terro. First, we will develop a variety of fibers from different types of protein-based food waste, not just milk waste. Second, we will continue to experiment with milk polymer; we already know that milk can be made into packaging film, bed sheets, medical appliances, and tissue.
Which of the CREATE metrics will your submission impact?
Global cultural and economic influence (“soft power”)
High-growth startups
Venture capital investment
Social and emotional support
Public arts and cultural events
LGBTQ+ equity and inclusion
Are there any other LA2050 goal categories that your proposal will impact?
LA is the best place to LEARN
LA is the best place to PLAY
LA is the best place to CONNECT
Which of LA2050’s resources will be of the most value to you?
Access to the LA2050 community
Host public events or gatherings
Communications support
Strategy assistance and implementation