With this paragraph alone, he has doomed his project to failure:

"Right now, Hoff sells the boxes for $275 for 10, manufactured in his native Holland, but he envisions local production wherever the box is sold. "I think it's a disaster that the only people who know how to weave clothing are in China," he said. Gardening and home-improvement stores could sell them for about $15, he said."

The problem is that local production costs more. If it costs more it will be used less. It's as simple as that.

He should pick his battles. Conserving water, and growing trees is awesome. Let others worry about China, focus on your mission.

My prediction: Unless he gives up this ideal you will never hear about these boxes again.