Photo: privat
At the launch of the event series, we focused on three Hamburg-based ideas that are already making a big impact in the city: Marc Engelmann presented Boomerang, which produces reusable shipping bags for e-commerce. Jascha Mähler from Wildplastic showed how new products can be created from wild plastic collected around the world. Finally, Gülay Ulaş introduced GoBanyo’s shower bus project, which gives many people experiencing homelessness free access to sanitary facilities.
After the pitches, we spoke with Zarah Bruhn, Federal Commissioner for Social Innovation, Andreas Richter from the City of Hamburg, and Arnd Boekhoff from the Viva con Agua Foundation about the potential of social innovation and the implementation of the City of Hamburg’s new social entrepreneurship strategy.
Startup profiles at a glance
“Everyone has the right to wash. But not everyone has the opportunity to do so.” GoBanyo wants to change this with a shower bus project for people experiencing homelessness and raise awareness of the issue through targeted communication. Since 2019, the shower bus has stopped at various locations across Hamburg in order to be accessible to as many people as possible. Use of the service is free of charge.
Boomerang focuses on reusable shipping packaging for online shops. The system is based on an intelligent deposit model and return logistics that allow Boomerang packaging to be reused up to 50 times. This enables online shops to save costs while actively promoting the circular economy and reducing CO₂ emissions.
Freeing the environment from wild plastic: this is the challenge Wildplastic has taken on. With the support of certified collection initiatives, the startup collects plastic and processes it into new products. In spring 2019, it created “the first garbage bag that cleans up the world.” With this, the startup aims to tackle the global plastic waste crisis and raise awareness of the issue.
Impressions
Marc Engelmann von Boomerang Photos: privat 
Jascha Mähler von WILDPLASTIC 
Gülay Ulaş von GoBanyo 
Zarah Bruhn, Beauftragte für soziale Innovationen am Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung 
Andreas Richter, Behörde für Wirtschaft und Innovation 
Arnd Boekhoff, Viva con Agua Stiftung 