Recycling
the Future

Tony and Josh from Lotus Energy pride themselves on being a disrupter in the recycling industry. But their biggest driver is creating a more sustainable future for their kids.

From humble beginnings, this family-owned business was on a mission to open people's minds to solar power — at a time when renewable energy was seen as more like science fiction. With a sole focus on environment, sustainability and recycling, Tony and Josh are determined to make their mark on the world for the better, changing the entire landscape of the recycling industry one solar panel at a time.

The recycling industry has a significant trust problem. In 2023, 43% of Australians believed their waste wouldn't be recycled properly — and with the collapse of soft plastics recycling and a barrage of negative industry media, that scepticism was only growing.

The industry needs greater transparency to rebuild community confidence and ensure people know their recycling efforts truly make a difference. Additionally, the solar industry was struggling to find an adequate solution for disposing of expired solar panels — a growing problem with no viable answer. Until Lotus.

Before diving into Lotus's sustainable practices, we believed it was important to show the human side of the business — through the fun-loving relationship of Josh and Tony, and the fact that their 'why' ran much deeper than their passion for recycling. Their biggest motivation was to create a better world for their kids and the next generation. This ethos is woven throughout the film through shots of their children at the factory.

The brand story film took us on a journey from their factory in Victoria to solar farms across NSW. We showcased the evolution of Lotus Energy into the only operational solar recycling facility in Australia — and how they're redefining the reputation of the industry through an open-door policy and technology that achieves the highest solar panel recycling recovery rate in the world.

We also produced a suite of social media assets that debunked common myths about recycling and highlighted what the boys are doing to change the landscape of the industry — all delivered with a lighthearted twist that shone naturally through their casual yet informative interview style.