Wednesday, November 19
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Setting New Sustainable Industry Standards: The Flushable Revolution
In an industry where products are designed to be used for a few hours but last for centuries, we have a clear problem. The conventional approach has left us with a growing landfill and microplastic crisis. The true challenge isn't just to make products that are "less bad," but to fundamentally redefine how they are made, used and disposed of.
Join me as I discuss how Planera’s patented Flushtec technology addresses unmet consumer behaviours, providing a genuinely flushable pad and wrapper for the millions who already flush out of necessity. This isn't just about convenience; it's about elevating the functional into the emotional. The flush offers discretion to a teenager in a shared bathroom, gives back dignity and control to the disposal, and provides peace of mind to everyone who believes their period shouldn't cost the Earth.
We will explore how this bold, data-backed and third-party tested innovation allows us to bypass the greenwashing that plagues our industry and set new standards for what true sustainability, safety, and brand responsibility look like. This isn’t a small, incremental step—it’s a revolution, and it’s time to talk about how we can all be a part of it.
» Olivia Ahn, MD
Co-Founder, Planera
BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Olivia Ahn, a former doctor, is redefining sustainable innovation by applying a medical and scientific lens to consumer products. Her journey began with a key insight: that the industry's focus on "biodegradable" claims was not a sufficient answer to the global waste management crisis.This led her to engineer a truly category-defining innovation. She pioneered Fluus, the world's first fully flushable pad that introduces 4 industry-first claims: Certified Flushable, Zero Landfill, 100% biodegradable, 100% microplastic-free, a breakthrough achieved through the development of Flushtec. This patented approach addresses the critical challenge of balancing high-performance absorbency with complete dispersibility and biodegradation—a problem that has long plagued the industry.
Dr. Ahn speaks at global forums and conferences, including INDEX and WEF, where she shares her expertise on end-of-life solutions, product circularity, and the intersection of consumer health with material science.
