Sometimes we need a little extra motivation to take what we know is a positive action. This certainly applies to sustainability efforts. We know we should bicycle instead of drive, eat at neighborhood spots instead of ordering delivery, turn off the shower while we lather our hair, and bring our own reusable bottles to coffee shops, but all too often we opt for convenience or complacency.

A Seat at the Sustainability Table

To learn more about one team attempting to combat this complacency, Saigoneer traveled to a nondiscript District 4 office. The city outside was humming with end-of-day commotion, but inside, there was a different, no less excited atmosphere. Surrounded by colorful components organized in sleek containers, we took a seat beside a table covered with bright sticker samples and spoke with Mai Trinh and Pierre Rault, the co-founders of NOPA. The company was preparing to launch an updated version of their first product, the NOPA MOVE bottle, and they spoke with the nervous joy one feels when sharing their vision with the world, hoping it will be embraced for the greater good.

Behind the scenes at NOPA.

A classic startup story, NOPA is the brainchild of passionate and experienced individuals who see unexpected challenges as necessary steps in the process. Mai and Pierre first met in 2022 while collaborating on a project for The Schoolab, an innovation studio that fosters collaborations between students and corporations where Pierre worked at the time. Tasked with tackling single-use plastics, the pair created an app for reusing drinking containers. Unfortunately, their product didn’t take off as they’d hoped, due largely to people's exhaustion with downloading more apps. But the experience proved to them that they work well together, and creating a product that seeks to address an important issue provides them both with meaning.

NOPA's founding team. From left to right: Nhan, Mai, Longly and Pierre.

Mai and Pierre remained in touch and, by 2023, decided to go all-in on creating a physical product that could entice people to avoid single-use cups or bottles. This meant that Pierre quit The Schoolab, preferring to dedicate himself fully to one project rather than assist and oversee many, a process he described as “having fingers in too many pies.” Meanwhile, Mai, whose background is in psychology and consumer insight, came to the decision after asking herself, “If I succeed, which is the table I want to be seated at? It’s sustainability.”

It's a Matter of Style

The world indeed has more than enough bottles. But the same could be said for shoes, and no one questions Nike when they release a new model of sneakers because it’s understood as a matter of fashion. This logic applies to NOPA as well.

The NOPA MOVE's bright colors and playful style aim to connect with people who want to carry it around as an extension of their personality and a functional accessory that allows them to feel part of an exclusive club. In this way, it is similar to a tote bag. Moreover, the NOPA team, which includes Chief Product Engineer, Nhan Nguyen, and Art Director, Longiy Trieu, hopes to create a community around the bottles that bonds users and partners around common values and aesthetic preferences.

NOPA's collaboration with local artist, Psyche.

Beyond the color combinations created via the easy-to-clean interchangeable bases, tops, and lids, the NOPA MOVE bottles stand out because of the stickers people place on them. Like laptops, cellphone cases, and bike helmets, they serve as billboards that advertise one’s interests, sense of humor, and allegiances. Longiy made the initial stickers that are sold with the bottles and reflect the core brand aesthetics, as well as thematic expansion packs such as Summer Vibe. These specially made stickers are uniquely designed to fit on the bottle’s inner and outer layers and withstand temperature changes as well as the routine wear and tear a bottle experiences.

Besides the official NOPA stickers, people often attach their designs to the bottles. To indulge a greater number of options while continuing to reflect their core identity, NOPA is thus working with local artists for sticker sets printed to work perfectly with the bottle materials. Psyche, a beloved local artist is the first to be featured. Saigoneer has gotten involved too, with our first-ever sticker set and accompanying bottle launching earlier this summer. Images include ones based on our popular Natural Selectionseries that include our recently announced mascot, the Đông Hồ baby, and humorous typos inspired by old Vietnamese signage. Available for purchase at LÔCÔ Art Markets and via NOPA’s website, they allow people to show off their love for Saigoneer, or at least carry some cool art around with them.

People who refill their NOPA MOVE bottle at a participating partner can receive a discount or promotion that allows them to feel like members of an exclusive club. The specifics of the incentive are up to the particular coffee shop, but examples include reduced prices or free upsizes. All participating venues can be located easily via a phone’s map app, which doubles as a guide for cool cafes in the city. Amongst the more than 90 locations are some familiar names including OKKIO, S'Mores, Bosgautrus, WEGO, Auvery, Mille Mille, and BEL.

NOPA Move in action with participating partner locations.

One of the most exciting developments is a recent partnership with a coffee cart brand, which exemplifies how NOPA aims to integrate with local coffee habits. To this point, Pierre has embarked on amonth-long reuse challenge, visiting a different participating venue each day. In addition to discovering some delicious menu items in quintessentially Saigon spaces, he has saved VND 200k in the first 19 days.

Approaching the Future without Limitations

“We’ve emerged from Death Valley,” Mai joked when asked about the current plans and future of NOPA after undergoing the difficult launching process. The new version of the NOPA MOVE bottle features some design adjustments to make it more durable and contains an NFC chip that allows partners to track reward usage with their partners. The data will also be helpful when assessing broader success in pursuing sustainability as part of grant projects. Since June, they've been working with the UN to explore how gamification can motivate sustainable reuse.

In addition to selling to individuals, the team hopes to expand its B2B sales. They’d like to entice a company to purchase bottles for their entire office located near a participating partner, for example. The NOPA team can create custom designs and stickers for interested clients, allowing them to reflect a company’s or organization’s specific branding as well. NOPA may also branch beyond personal drink bottles into containers for household goods and cleaning products.

Success for any company can be difficult to define. But Pierre admitted that he would be beyond thrilled to see a stranger using a NOPA MOVE “out in the wild.” Considering the unique designs, flexible use, and ability to receive rewards while doing one’s small part to help the environment, it’s not difficult to imagine such a scene playing out soon.