Evo. & Co. - Indonesia’s Solution to Oceanic Pollution
JESSICA PICKLES LOOKS INTO EVO. & CO. THE COMPANY THAT PUTS SINGLE USE PLASTIC TO SHAME
Indonesia remains the second highest plastic polluter of oceans after China, but they’re also leaders in looking for a solution to combat ever growing single use plastic consumption. With 90% of Indonesian plastic heading to sea, the solution appears to be growing close to the surface and ironically, the pollution. Seaweed.
Image from Chris Fitch
The murmurings of seaweed being a sustainable alternative to plastic have been making the rounds for the last couple of years. With only 9% of plastic ever being recycled, we need to move to a sustainable alternative, and fast.
One Indonesian company determined to address the environmental and social issues of oceanic pollution is Evo. & Co. Since 2016, they’ve provided an edible, tasteless and dissolvable substitute to plastic, made from seaweed called Evoware. The bioplastic is currently being used to package seasoning, sugar, coffee, toothpicks and sanitary towels. Ello Jello cups provide an edible alternative to plastic or paper cups, made from, you guessed it, seaweed. Though these can be left to biodegrade within 30 days if you’re watching your weight. The founder, David Christian, was inspired when rushing to make instant noodles and thinking how the process would be much faster if no small sachets needed to be opened. He also saw the plastic induced flooding that Jakarta often suffered from, as it would block water systems.
Image from Evo. & Co.
Evoware launched sales of their safe, natural packaging back in 2017, and in 2018 were looking to scale up production by investing in a large manufacturing site. Since then, the company has expanded and Evoware is now one brand of Evo. & Co. Two new brands include Evoworld and Rethink. Evoworld provide biodegradable, compostable and edible alternatives to single use plastic products. The range includes varieties of straws, bio-bags, wooden cutlery, and food containers made from sugarcane. Rethink has run campaigns across the world working with governments and businesses to promote sustainable living. Collectively the company has saved over 15 million single use plastic items from going to landfill, with their alternatives.
The start-up has been recognised by the Ellen MacArtur Foundation for accelerating the transition to a circular economy, generating absolutely zero waste as the material biodegrades and uses no chemical additives. Seaweed is an energy efficient and economical substance to grow. Farming of it required no land acquisition or deforestation, unlike land-based plants. And as if you needed any more incentive to turn to seaweed, it’s also a natural carbon sink that de-acidifies water.
I hope to see a shift to seaweed-based packaging globally within the next few years, at the moment the only thing seaweed contains is sushi. Sushi that comes in recyclable plastic, that will never be recycled! The more consumers push for environmental alternatives to plastic, the faster we will get there. So why not sign the WWF Your Plastic Diet Petition linked here? And pick up some bamboo straws next time you see a zero waste shop!?
Find out more, or place an order at Evo. & Co. here and follow @evowareworld on Instagram.
If you liked Jess’ article, why not check out Black Lives Matter - An Australian Edition or A Sustainable Tour of London.