Today we’d like to introduce you to Simona Paganetto.
Hi Simona, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
From Global MedTech to a Lifelong Passion to Solve Plastic Pollution
How I’m Plastic Free was born
In 2013 Simona Paganetto left a promising career in the global MedTech industry in Switzerland to migrate to Australia and join her husband. She was living in the Whitsundays in Airlie Beach, Queensland, and volunteering for beach clean-ups for a local environmental organisation in 2014 when she witnessed first-hand the huge amount of plastic in our oceans and its impact on marine life. Before that, she thought this problem was mainly confined to developing countries that didn’t have a solid waste management system, but after doing some research she quickly realised that it was a problem of the whole world at a time when there wasn’t much publicity in the mainstream media.
So, she decided to do something about it… and a few years, a child, and a relocation later (the family moved from Queensland to the Northern Territory), she finally founded I’m Plastic Free in 2018.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t all been “smooth sailing” …
It hasn’t all been “smooth sailing” for Simona, however. Initially, she started her social enterprise by selling eco-friendly straws to the local hospitality operators but due to her regional location, she couldn’t compete with larger companies and warehouses around the country.
So, she had the idea of developing a 3rd party vendor e-commerce marketplace connecting eco-conscious consumers to sustainable vendors, like a mini-Etsy or eBay for plastic-free products only. However, the timing wasn’t in her favour as she launched it in the middle of a global pandemic, plus there were challenges again around the funding and logistics side of the start-up.
A story of resilience: re-launching as a “matchmaking” platform
Simona was nearly about to give up on her vision, when she met a web expert who advised her to pivot the site into an educational & information hub focused on solutions and linked to the affiliate marketing business model.
So, I’m Plastic Free was re-born in 2022.
Today, I’m Plastic Free is a “matchmaking” platform for plastic waste reduction. It connects eco- and health-conscious consumers with plastic alternatives. In fact, it provides the easiest and fastest way to find such solutions.
Whether it’s bedding made of organic natural fibers, non-toxic cookware, refillable soap, or compostable underwear, the platform makes it easy to choose sustainable options:
• Discover innovative ways to reduce plastic waste.
• Find plastic-free alternatives made from regenerative materials.
• Reduce microplastic exposure risks.
• Stay informed about industry changes and developments.
• Connect with eco-conscious brands making a difference.
Over 160 blog articles have been published on the platform, all research-based and linked to studies published in peer-reviewed journals, including articles related to microplastics and human health.
The platform reaches a global audience, over 50% of the traffic from the USA alone, currently serving close to half a million organic users/year, over 700,000 organic page views/year, and 17 million Google search impressions/year, with rapid growth continuing.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
How many people know that solutions to plastic & microplastic pollution exist?
Many would like to be part of the solution but are overwhelmed or don’t have time to do the research or feel overwhelmed…
“I’m Plastic Free” helps eco- and health-conscious consumers find the best plastic alternatives for everyday items. Whether you’re looking for synthetic-free bedding, non-toxic cookware, refillable soap, compostable underwear, or something else entirely, “I’m Plastic Free” makes it quick and easy to swap out plastic for more sustainable options:
– Discover innovative ways to reduce plastic waste and your exposure to microplastics.
– Find plastic-free alternatives made from regenerative materials.
– Stay informed about industry changes and developments.
– Connect with eco-conscious brands making a difference.
Over 160 blog articles promote products that are circular, low-carbon, zero-waste, or plastic-free and are linked to studies published in peer-reviewed journals. The platform reaches a global audience, currently serving close to half a million organic users per year, and generating over 700,000 organic page views annually, with rapid growth continuing.
For the future of our children and of humanity, we believe there’s an opportunity to promote innovative plastic alternatives, for both environmental (plastic pollution) and human health reasons (microplastics).
We envision a world where traditional fossil-fuel-based plastic doesn’t exist, a future where plastic is replaced by alternative materials that are safe for people and the planet.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
The most important characteristic behind my success has been the combination of clear vision and resilience.
From the beginning, I had a strong conviction about the need for a “plastic-free future”, about the need to solve plastic pollution, including microplastic pollution, upstream at the source, at a time when, in 2018, most people didn’t fully understand the problem or thought the idea was unrealistic. (They actually thought I was crazy!)
That clarity of vision gave me direction and purpose, even when external validation was limited.
Equally critical has been resilience. The journey involved multiple setbacks, failed business models, and difficult pivots. But I never let go of the belief that the vision could become reality. That persistence, continuing to adapt, learn, and move forward despite challenges, ultimately made the difference.
In short, it’s the ability to hold a long-term vision while staying resilient enough to navigate the inevitable obstacles along the entrepreneurial way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.implasticfree.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/implasticfree/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Implasticfree
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/i-m-plastic-free
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@implasticfree
