Nivine Hachem (Two Better)
Nivine Hachem is the co-founder and CEO of Two Better, a Lebanon-based social enterprise that creates raw building materials from plastic waste.
Two Better’s Founding Story
Nivine and her co-founder, Hala Al-Naamani, met on a volunteer trip.
“We connected and realized that our passion lies within serving our community, and decided to take a leap of faith to shift into social entrepreneurship,” Nivine shared. The two left their corporate jobs and returned to Lebanon with a vision “to tackle the waste crisis,” a problem which has been ongoing since the closure of a major landfill in 2015.
The co-founders combined their experience in business and interior architecture and began learning about the recycling industry and processes. Two Better currently produces and sells home accessories made from upcycled plastic including coasters, phone holders, bowls and keychains. However, they are working to scale their product line to include larger recycled plastic boards, which can be used as raw materials for building.
Two Better’s upcycled plastic boards.
The upcycled plastic boards are colorful and unique. Nivine explained that they are designed to replace materials such as wood, marble and terrazzo to “be used in design applications such as furniture, countertops and wall cladding.”
Not only will the boards mitigate plastic waste and provide a sustainable alternative to building materials, but Nivine added that by doing so, Two Better’s “aim is to contribute to the circular economy in Lebanon.” The production process will create new jobs in the community, as well as provide opportunities for empowerment for women in the industrial field, thus “eliminating cultural taboos.”
two better in because international’s incubator program
Nivine joined the Because Accelerator to develop Two Better’s business strategy and target the right consumers for their products. A wider market for products will allow her to take the business to the next level.
The Because Accelerator is a completely free online training and mentorship program for entrepreneurs who have product-focused ideas and businesses in areas impacted by poverty.