Inspiration from Sint Maarten to sustainability
Tyrell’s journey began on the island of Sint Maarten, where sustainability challenges were impossible to ignore. A massive landfill near the city center burned almost constantly, releasing toxic fumes into the air. Growing up with asthma, he experienced firsthand the harmful health effects of this pollution. “It was deeply unhealthy for everyone around, and I always thought about what could be done to fix it. That inspired me to move to the Netherlands and focus on sustainability and technology during my studies.”
During his bachelor’s, Tyrell explored various sustainability ideas. One pivotal moment came during the Philips Innovation Award, where he pitched an early version of a smart bin. While that iteration didn’t take off, it marked the beginning of a learning process. A turning point came when Tyrell teamed up with his co-founder Victor Okoro at university. Together, they developed a more refined version of their concept: a bin that could identify waste at the point of disposal. Their hard work paid off when they participated in the UT Challenge, winning the audience prize and the prototyping award the following year. “This was when things started to click,” Tyrell explains. “A large company in Amsterdam expressed interest in using our product because they generate a lot of waste. That showed us there was a real business model behind our idea. We’re currently at the point of finalizing the product and going through the process of certification and getting patents. We expect to enter the market in January.”
Tackling challenges as a young entrepreneur
Running a business hasn’t always been smooth sailing for Tyrell. “As a young person, people don’t always take you seriously,” he explained. “There’s often an assumption that you lack experience or don’t fully know what you’re doing. I’ve felt that in the way people, for instance those in government or waste management facilities, talk to me. Their first comments are often about why our idea won’t scale or why we’ll never achieve the necessary volume. That kind of pushback can be disheartening.”
Tyrell also acknowledges the additional challenges of not fitting the traditional mold. “I don’t want to play the race card too much, but it’s a reality. We don’t look like most Dutch people, and that can create hesitation. If you’re not fluent in Dutch, it sometimes feels like the odds are stacked even higher against you. It’s unfortunate, but it’s something we’ve had to navigate.”
Despite these hurdles, Tyrell’s passion and determination have never wavered. Even during a personal battle with cancer, he remained committed to his vision. “Even while undergoing treatment, I kept the business running,” he said.
Testing their innovation with Innofest
Thanks to Innofest’s testing opportunities, Tyrell and his team have significantly improved Garby’s design. Real-world tests at festivals like DGTL and Oerol provided critical insights that shaped the product’s evolution.
At DGTL, Garby’s initial design included a button on the lid’s underside. However, the loudspeakers caused interference, triggering the bin to sort waste even when it was empty. “We replaced the button with a light sensor, but testing at Oerol revealed another challenge,” Tyrell explained. “In the bright sunlight, the light sensor became overly sensitive, and the bin acted as though waste was constantly being added.”
This iterative process led to the current solution: an ultrasonic sensor system. “Ultrasound has proven to be the most reliable method so far,” Tyrell shared. “Each festival teaches us something new about our product, from how it functions to how it interacts with different waste types. Testing in diverse environments is invaluable for refining Garby.”
The structured approach of ValidationLab also played a pivotal role. “The workshops and canvases helped us gather user feedback in ways we hadn’t considered before,” Tyrell noted. “And Innofest’s financial and logistical support allowed us to focus on innovation, even when navigating unexpected challenges.”