Rotterdammers Joram Boumans and Jason Smit have developed a sustainable alternative through their company Plastilose for the fifty million plastic medicine cups discarded annually in Dutch hospitals. The material, bacterial cellulose, is produced by feeding bacteria sugar residues, resulting in biodegradable fibers. Although the technology was originally developed for straws, it now offers a solution for the medical sector where hygiene is crucial. The cups are fully compostable and break down within three months. Currently, the products are being tested at the Maasstad Hospital, where demand already exceeds current production. Due to this success and winning the ‘Nieuwe Heldenprijs’ (New Heroes Prize) from VNO-NCW Regio Rotterdam, the entrepreneurs are planning the construction of their own factory in Rotterdam to scale up production to one million products per week.