A More Private Pregnancy Test

Plastic pregnancy tests create 2 million lb. of waste each year—a figure that first motivated Bethany Edwards to develop Lia, a paper-based, biodegradable alternative. But as she started working, she realized she could address another issue too. “Who hasn’t hidden a [plastic] pregnancy test in the trash before?” she says. “There is a privacy need that’s not being met.” Because Lia is paper-based, it’s also flushable, which makes it more discreet. The test is set to go on sale by early 2019 and will cost about as much as a traditional version. Already, it has a 28,000-person waiting list. —Jamie Ducharme