Australian start-up Hoopsy has created a pregnancy test kit made entirely from paper and which is fully recyclable. The startup seeks to replace plastic test kits that end up in landfills after use.
The eco-friendly kit is 99 per cent made from paper, with cardboard packaging that users can recycle in designated bins. Only the pouch comes in soft plastic but can still be recycled via supermarket collection.
In the US alone, 20 million plastic completed pregnancy test kits are disposed of in the bin, creating a substantial amount of plastic waste.
Named after the Dutch word for “hope”, Hoopsy was established after its founder, Lara Solomon, went through an IVF and embryo donation that made her realise how many times people who are trying to conceive perform these tests.
“I feel that when you do a pregnancy test, there is a lot of hope – a ‘hope I am” or a ‘hope I’m not!” Solomon told Dezeen.
“On top of this, there’s hope for the future that this product can help reduce plastic waste.”
The eco pregnancy test kit has been approved for sale by the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory agency after clinical trials showed results that it has 99 per cent accuracy from the day of the person’s expected period.
“I’d love to see all plastic tests phased out eventually,” said Solomon.
Meanwhile, a Dutch startup has developed tree-free paper from mining waste.
