Biodegradable and edible seaweed-based packaging reduces plastic waste while supporting local farmers

Indonesian company Evoware offers a solution to plastic waste with their seaweed-based packaging, which is biodegradable—and edible.

With the normalisation of single-use plastics, like water bottles, bags, straws, takeout containers, and more, it’s no secret that plastic pollution is a widespread and persistent issue. And, it’s much more than accumulation in landfills: Plastics break down into microscopic proportions, finding their way into our oceans. In fact, 90 per cent of plastic waste goes into the ocean and 70 per cent of that waste comes from food and beverage packaging. In the ‘business as usual scenario’, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea by 2050.

Indonesia in particular is the world’s second biggest plastic waste contributor to the ocean and 25 per cent of fish in the Indonesian market are contaminated by plastic.

That’s where Evoware and their innovation comes in: The company has created packaging made of seaweed in collaboration with local farmers. The packaging dissolves in warm water, making it a zero-waste product. It’s also 100 per cent biodegradable and can be used as plant fertiliser. The packaging has a shelf-life of two years and is preservatives-free.

According to Evoware, “Our mission is to create innovative solutions from seaweed to solve plastic waste issue, while increasing the livelihood of Indonesia’s seaweed farmers.”

Moreover, the packaging is healthy and safe to eat: It’s nutritious, high in fibre, vitamins and minerals, and is Halal-certified and produced in compliance with HACCP standards. As such, the packaging is tasteless and odourless but it can be customised with different flavours, colours, logos, and more.

Example use-cases are for: sandwich wraps, coffee sachets, herb and spice sachets, soap packaging, etc.

For now, the packaging is sold online only and in small batches.