Help us rebuild our tornado-destroyed enviro startup

Critical. is a startup on a mission to end plastic pollution. Over the last 4 years, Adam and I along with our team have worked relentlessly around our day jobs to develop an innovative way to turn hard to recycle (think plastic bags, straws, packaging, etc.) plastic waste into beautiful products that can be recycled again and again.

We invested everything we had into this. Our money, our heart, soul, blood sweat and tears all went into in setting up our one-of-a-kind factory that’s unique in the world. Up until last Friday night (18th June), our factory was completely set up with the machinery ready to go, racking and workspaces installed and tools in place. We were a button’s push away from going live and on the cusp of a big environmental impact for NZ’s plastic pollution crisis…

And then, on Saturday 19th June, a tornado ripped a hole in our roof, our business and our dream of ending plastic pollution in Aotearoa.

It ripped part of our roof into a beautiful skylight just in time for Matariki. It relocated roof extraction systems into our neighbour’s yard. It transformed our factory floor into a paddling pool where our expensive equipment, machinery, tools and products now enjoy a daily swim.

Adding to the grief is due to very unfortunate timing we don’t have insurance cover the full extent of the losses as terms were being negotiated when the tornado hit.

As you can see from the video the damage to the building and equipment is extensive. The estimate from the construction team is that we could be facing a four (4) month wait for the building and roof to be replaced/repaired and the power to be rewired and reconnected.

Like most, we don’t have the cash reserves to weather the next 4 months without being operational as well as to repair and replace our damaged equipment so we are reaching out for some aid to get back up and running as soon as possible.

Can you help us rebuild our factory? Can you be part of a story which will add a crucial piece of the puzzle for Aotearoa to turn its plastic waste into useful, beautiful materials and create a more sustainable future for generations to come?

The Spinoff Article

https://thespinoff.co.nz/business/03-07-2021/opened-like-a-can-opener-tornado-destroys-recycling-startups-roof/?fbclid=IwAR1GDq2Brjx5nKbh7b5p3vaB2tsJ8Qk-xby4YT8td8FLtSi7maQ6yRIkRqk

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Every dollar you donate will be spent on fixing our factory, enabling us to turn discarded plastic waste into beautiful products.

Some key items:

A temporary ceiling structure, materials and install for 350m square factory space

Three phase temporary power leads and lighting

Factory racking replacement and repairs

Machine repair or components replacement from water damage

Repair or replacement of our CNC machine

Repair / replacement of equipment and tooling

Costs to cover specialists and contractors

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If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out:

Rui@criticaldesign.nz

+64 21 1739 524