Brief History
World Centric was founded by Aseem Das to raise awareness of the deep social and environmental challenges facing our world. Driven by the injustice of billions living without basic needs and the environmental cost of modern lifestyles, he began by hosting documentary screenings, speakers, and courses on sustainability, simple living, and conscious consumerism. In 2005, to fund its mission without relying on donations, World Centric began selling Fair Trade and compostable products while continuing to educate and engage the community.
By 2009, the growing demand for compostable products led World Centric to shift its primary focus to sustainable packaging, transitioning from a nonprofit to a for-profit social enterprise. This structure aligned with its mission to create positive change while remaining financially self-sustaining. Since then, World Centric has donated at least 25% of profits to grassroots organizations and offered discounts to schools and nonprofits. The company became a Certified B Corp in 2010 and a California Benefit Corporation in 2013, staying true to its founding purpose: to make an impact and build a more just and sustainable world.
Timeline of Our Journey
- 2004 Founded to raise awareness of global social and environmental issues through education and advocacy.
- 2005 Begins selling Fair Trade and compostable products, including unbleached fiber options.
- 2005 Registers as a taxable nonprofit with plans for 501(c)(3) status.
- 2006 Expands product line with heat-resistant compostable cutlery; shifts focus to growing product sales.
- 2009 Becomes a mission-driven for-profit social enterprise focused solely on compostable packaging.
- 2010 Achieves Certified B Corp status; begins donating 25% of profits to grassroots causes.
- 2013 Converts to a California Benefit Corporation to legally align business with purpose.
- 2020 First to launch fiber-based hot cup lids.
- 2021 First to introduce plant-based, oil-resistant coating with no added PFAS.
- Today Operates the first dedicated R&D facility as a pure-play compostables manufacturer.
Meet the Founder: Aseem Das
You’ve read the history—now get to know the visionary behind World Centric. Aseem Das, our founder and CEO, began his career in AI software engineering, working with leading organizations like Boeing, NASA, and TIBCO. Armed with a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Oregon, he made a bold shift in the early 2000s—leaving tech to confront the world’s most urgent social and environmental issues.
Motivated by a desire to make a real impact, Aseem launched World Centric to raise awareness and drive change. What began as a nonprofit focused on education has evolved under his leadership into a mission-driven business. Today, World Centric develops innovative compostable packaging solutions and reinvests profits to fight poverty and climate degradation—proving that business can be a powerful force for good.