Ms Vincy NG Wing-sze and Mr Eddie LI Hoi-tik

Ms Vincy NG Wing-sze

Co-Founder, Green One Lab
Industrial and Systems Engineering graduate

Mr Eddie LI Hoi-tik

Co-Founder, Green One Lab
Computing and Industrial and Systems Engineering graduate

On bustling city streets, grabbing a cup of bubble tea and strolling along has become part of daily life. Yet behind this simple pleasure lies a hidden cost: up to 1.44 billion disposable straws are thrown away every year, creating an astonishing amount of waste. Faced with this staggering figure, PolyU alumni Ms Vincy Ng Wing-sze and Mr Eddie Li Hoi-tik founded Green One Lab, using the power of design to challenge habits and make waste reduction stylish.

“Why can’t straws be opened up for cleaning?” From this bold question by Vincy and Eddie came “One Pair Straw”, an award-winning innovation recognised by the Melbourne Design Awards, the Hong Kong Smart Design Awards, the Good Design Award in Australia and the Korean Good Design Awards, among others. Guided by their deep understanding of users’ real concerns, they designed One Pair Straw to be easily detached and fully opened for thorough cleaning, eliminating the need for brushes and removing hidden hygiene worries altogether. Its top features safe, rounded edges, while the bottom retains a sharper tip for poking lemon slices and piercing the plastic film on takeaway drink cups, fitting seamlessly into everyday habits. Their thoughtful approach also extends to material choice: made from 100% recyclable, food-grade plastic, the straw offers a lower carbon footprint and greater practicality compared with stainless steel alternatives manufactured through high-temperature processes. At its heart is Vincy and Eddie’s simple belief that when used responsibly, plastic’s value can be extended.

The duo’s entrepreneurial journey is deeply connected to PolyU. Both earned bachelor’s degrees from the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, and Eddie also completed a master’s degree in E-Commerce. As post-90s entrepreneurs without family backing, they secured their initial funding through the PolyU Micro Fund and turned their green idea into reality. Eddie describes his alma mater as their strongest support: “The master’s programme covered not only technology but also business management, giving me a strong blend of theory and practice. It laid a solid foundation for my entrepreneurial journey.”

Of course, entrepreneurship is never a fairy tale. During the R&D stage, they went back to the drawing board more than fifty times. When the pandemic struck and factories shifted to producing face masks, their straw production line came to a halt. Instead of giving up, they adapted. They pivoted to local markets and organised environmental workshops in schools. From solar-powered night lights and preserved moss art to eco-bricks and organic vegetable planting, they brought green design into the community and inspired the next generation.

It all started with a single straw. Step by step, Vincy and Eddie have stayed true to their green mission, echoing their alma mater’s vision as an innovative university. As they say, “You may only get one chance to start a business. If you have an idea, give it your all.” Dare to rethink. Dare to redesign. Small changes can grow into powerful waves that move the world.

Publishing Date: May 2026