Our mission is to be Kaitiaki for Aotearoa by using the skills and resources around us to protect and restore our native flora and fauna.
Enivo is an Aotearoa based startup on a mission to reimagine how we grow. We’re creating biodegradable plant pots made from paper pulp, offering a sustainable alternative to the 350 million plastic pots used in New Zealand every year.
Enivo Pots is closing the loop, taking what nature provides, giving it new purpose, and returning it to the earth. Our pots are designed to decompose naturally, breaking down into the soil and enriching it, rather than polluting it. It’s a solution rooted in circular thinking, with every stage of the product lifecycle designed to reduce harm and promote regeneration.
What makes Enivo unique is not just our product, it’s our vision. Every Enivo pot replaces a plastic one. Every pot returned to the soil is a step towards a healthier planet.
As we grow, we’re focused on collaborating with communities, growers, and innovators to scale our impact and expand what’s possible.
Our Why
Meet our founder: Elisa Harley
Elisa is a passionate 20 year old entrepreneur from Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand, living in Christchurch. Her mission is to replace the 350 million plastic pots used annually in New Zealand with sustainable alternatives.
Elisa's journey began at age 12, selling succulents then native plants and noticing the environmental impact of single-use plastic pots. This insight led her to establish Enivo Pots, aiming to develop eco-friendly solutions for the horticulture industry. With support from the Young Enterprise Scheme, Scion Research Institute, and funding from AGMARDT, the King’s Trust and Perpectual Guardians Elisa collaborated with scientists to prototype pots made from forestry waste. These pots are designed to last around six months above ground and biodegrade within a year once planted.
Elisa has received accolades including the 2023 Youth Wellingtonian of the Year. She continues to inspire by speaking at events like the E Tipu Agri Summit and remains dedicated to promoting sustainable practices through innovation.
Our Values
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Guardianship of our natural resources to honour and protect our whenua, our land, for the generations to come.
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To establish connections within New Zealand, bringing together people, in and out of industry, to collectively innovate for the better of people and our planet.
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We continue to work honestly and transparently with our partners, customers and general public throughout our entire business journey.
Our Journey
It all started in 2022, when Elisa found her love for the land.
Elisa was growing and selling native New Zealand plants…
… and built her own greenhouse.
Then in 2023, she realised planting trees was creating plastic waste.
So she took it upon herself to create a biodegradable plant pot using primary industry waste materials for her Young Enterprise Scheme project at school.
Here, she gained industry interest, support, concept validation… and national recognition!
Elisa continued to refine the original enivo pot throughout 2024, gaining more traction with every interview.
In 2025, enivo pots were found in nurseries across Aotearoa undergoing pilot trials and Elisa shared the concept at many events.
Pots were finally produced on large scale in 2026, the enivo brand was officially established and our first sales took place at the Field Days.
