Edible seaweed-based packaging

THROUGH the eco-friendly packaging startup, Evoware, David Christian is raring to clear the world of food packaging waste. The company’s seaweed packaging – edible, nutritious, cost-effective – is attracting more and more companies with the same sustainability goals. The business is also invigorating Indonesia’s seaweed farming sector. To know more, we caught up with the ecopreneur in Indonesia.

What was the main motivation in creating Evoware and Ellojello?

When I first came back to Indonesia from Canada, I was struck by the different environmental conditions between the two countries. This inspired me to develop a product that would educate consumers in Indonesia. Environmental education is generally boring and too scientific, and people who are not interested in the topic will not listen. Most people are visual, so with a product I can educate them in a more tangible way.

We make a product that is interesting, unique and innovative. So even those who are not concerned about the environment would be interested in buying our product, too. When they buy our product, we tell them that they have become a part of the movement to reduce plastic waste. This notion alone can make them feel better about themselves and they will be more willing to listen.

Edible drinking glasses

Tell us about your products, Evoware and Ellojello.

We have two brands with different mission and business plans. Evoware produces patented seaweed-based packaging with both halal and safety guarantee certifications. The material can be moulded and shaped into anything, from seasoning packaging to meal wraps. It is a zero-waste product since it can dissolve in warm water, is 100% biodegradable and works as a natural fertilizer. It has two years of shelf life, even without preservative. Not only that, it is also nutritious, contains high fibre, vitamins, and minerals.

Ellojello which is still part of Evoware are edible cups made from seaweed. We use the brand to raise awareness. Their fun and unique qualities can draw attention, hence, are very effective as an educational tool.

Why is seaweed a good material for packaging?

We need a sustainable material that can be shaped into anything. The best material would be something with a jelly-like texture. Usually gelatin is used but it comes from cow or pig bones so it isn’t eco-friendly, and vegans and vegetarians can’t eat those. Neither can Muslims. So we use seaweed. We don’t add preservatives or sweeteners to ensure the products are natural and healthful.

Edble bioplastic sachets for instant coffee

What is the selling point of seaweed-based packaging besides it eco-friendly features?

For Ellojello, we sell the uniqueness of edible cups. They are easy to make and they can attract new customers in parties and restaurants, so it is basically an easy gimmick for your business. We also market it not as a drinking cup but as a food that can function as a cup. If we market it as a cup, people will compare it to other cups with cheaper materials. While for the price of food, it is very standard. Our mission for Ellojello is never for profit. We want to educate consumers and hope to get them more interested in edible cups to reduce waste.

The selling point for Evoware is environmental. Future clients see our products as adding value to their brands. When people see a product that promotes good values, they will likely be more willing to purchase. Choosing brands that use sustainable materials like Evoware, makes people feel better about themselves. 

Second, big companies that produce a lot of waste need to comply with the international standards on waste reduction and conduct responsible waste management. They allocate resources for waste management good practices. Our products can help these companies simplify their waste management and even lower their production cost.

Third, our packaging adds to the customer experience. You don't have to open and throw away the seasoning packaging. Since it dissolves in water, it cooks along with your food. You can eat it without compromising the taste. It is very convenient and fun.

Fourth, the packaging is healthy because seaweed is highly nutritious and we don’t add preservatives or sweeteners to the product. Plus, the price for seaweed packaging is cheap since seaweed is abundant in Indonesia.

Seaweed-based bioplastic is a step toward sustainable packaging

What can you share about the production of seaweed packaging?

Currently we can do small-scale production manually, but we are in the process of developing the machine that will allow us to mass produce the packaging. We sell samples or give out samples to companies and introduce the products as the first and only seaweed packaging in the world.

We do have a special manufacturing technique for Evoware packages but we can’t disclose it.

Who are your customers?

Currently 90% of our customers are from Europe and Australia, representing big companies and individuals. One of the world’s top three biggest companies is a customer of ours looking to increase their sustainability. We are also in the phase of signing a deal with several clients in Indonesia. Hence we are really pushing to complete our mass production machine.

Do you have new products ready to be launched?

We are developing a hiking kit for those who like to do outdoor activities. Our packaging can reduce plastic waste on the mountains, hiking tracks and other places where people still mindlessly throw their garbage. So the food and drink that use our packaging, such as the energy bars, water, and so on, will not pollute nature, but become fertilizer.

Do you see others following in your footsteps?

There might be other companies that will follow our direction but my values will always be environmental instead of commercial. We want to a solution for the environment and to help the seaweed farmers. Indonesia is the biggest seaweed producer in the world, but 80% of the produce are being exported. Our seaweed farmers are poor because they don't know the right market channel and are often cheated by middlemen. We on the other hand seek the farmers ourselves and buy seaweed at fair price.

What can you say about commonly used plastics?

Out biggest competitor is of course conventional plastic. Almost 99% of plastic circulating in supermarkets in Indonesia is oxodegradable which means it can break down in one or two years. This is considered as a more eco-friendly option. But it is not biodegradable and eco-friendly at all because over time it shreds into microplastic which is more dangerous than conventional plastic bags.  Oxo biodegradable plastic has already been banned in Singapore, USA and Europe. Currently, 76% of water in Jakarta has been contaminated by these microplastics, which then extends to our fish, vegetables, meat, and so on. 

That’s why we are introducing our products relentlessly. Since September 2017, we have sent samples to 150 companies. There are many other companies still waiting to get samples. Turns out the interest is high.

What else do you hope to achieve with Evoware and Ellojello?

We want to change the people’s mindset. We want everyone to be able to make their own Ellojello and see edible cups commonly used in restaurants. We want people to get accustomed to eating in edible “cups” and seeing our eco-friendly products everywhere to the point that it becomes natural for them to use or have.

We want more companies to switch from non-sustainable packaging to our sustainable packaging in order to solve the plastic waste problem from the source.

Our goal for Ellojello is education. Hence, we try to make it as simple as possible so that everyone can make it. Currently we have educated several restaurants where they now make and serve seaweed cups.