InnoCulture is a program organized by SIHUB to promote innovative projects in the field of cultural industries, connecting technology with Vietnamese identity. This is a playground where startups, artists and creators are supported in product development, training and investment connection to enter the market. And the project “UPGREEN VN” is one of the excellent projects that has been selected for the INNOCULTURE 2025 program – Program to select innovative projects, creative startups in the field of cultural industries in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025.

UPGREEN is a pioneering startup in recycling low-value plastic waste such as multi-layer packaging, fishing nets, and hard-to-recycle plastics into furniture, decor products, and corporate gifts imbued with Vietnamese cultural identity.

The project’s unique feature lies in combining recycled materials with traditional lacquer art, creating a comprehensive ESG solution: sustainable, emotional, and culturally significant.

Until now, UPGREEN has recycled more than 3.5 tons of plastic and organized more than 20 community activities, contributing to spreading awareness of environmental protection.

The problems are:

• Low-value plastic is considered difficult to save and is mainly burned or landfilled.
• Businesses need beautiful – cultural – professional ESG products but the market lacks suitable options.
• Vietnamese lacquer craft is fading away due to limited application.

What solution will UPGREEN offer:

UPGREEN brings culturally relevant recycled product ecosystems through:

• Design – production – traceability
• Combining traditional lacquer
• Flexible fabless model with a network of artisans – recyclers – designers
• ESG products suitable for small and medium enterprises

UPGREEN not only creates green products – but also creates new cultural values ​​from forgotten plastic waste.