A few Februarys ago, we had a conversation with an elephant. Actually, let’s back up a little bit.

Two families went to Thailand a couple years back, excited to see that part of the world for the first time in decades, and the first time at all for the kids. We were ready to be inspired. When they got there, however, everyone was immediately heartbroken. The beaches were home to more plastic bottle caps than seashells. Single-use grocery bags were tangled in the branches of the trees covering the shoreline. It was terrible.

Later that day, we met a pack of elephants at a wildlife rescue. One elephant was very old. While eating bananas and sugarcane, she wandered right over to us. Now, this part probably sounds silly. She must have seen how unsettled we were. With those giant eyes, we felt she came over to tell us to stop moping around and do something about it. True story.

Once back home, we started working. Solving the world’s single-use plastic problem was going to take creativity. Conveniently, we started at a whiteboard. And idea one started right there. LOKA, the Thai word for Earth and planet, was born. We’re excited you’re joining us on the journey to rid the world of virgin, petroleum-based plastics. The dry erase marker in your hands is a first step. When the brightest minds step up to the whiteboard looking to change the world, we want them thinking about the planet. 

Oh, and if you’re over that way, tell that elephant we said hello. Let her know we’re working on our promise.