Evoware

Evoware operates as a social enterprise addressing the critical issue of plastic pollution by offering plant-based, biodegradable, and even edible alternatives to single-use packaging. The company was established in Jakarta, Indonesia, in 2016. The impetus for Evoware's creation came from co-founder David Christian's observations of severe plastic pollution upon his return from studying in Canada. This experience motivated him to explore sustainable solutions, leading to the development of seaweed as a primary raw material for packaging.

The company's business model targets both global distributors and small local businesses, providing them with a range of plastic-free products. This strategy is designed to facilitate a broad transition to environmentally friendly packaging. Evoware generates revenue by selling these sustainable packaging solutions, which include items like straws, cutlery, bags, and various forms of packaging. Beyond product sales, the company actively engages in building a collaborative movement called the Rethink Campaign, which involves partnerships with companies, governments, schools, and communities to foster a circular economy and reduce plastic waste.

Evoware’s product line is notable for its material composition. The flagship products are derived from seaweed, a renewable resource whose cultivation can help sequester carbon. These seaweed-based products, such as food wraps and sachets for items like coffee or seasonings, are designed to be tasteless, odorless, and can dissolve in warm water. This makes them not only biodegradable and compostable at home but also safe for consumption. The company also offers products made from other renewable materials like cassava, rice, sugarcane, and palm leaves. A key part of Evoware's social mission involves its supply chain. The company sources its seaweed directly from farmers in Indonesia, aiming to provide them with fairer prices and improve their livelihoods.

Since its founding, Evoware has achieved several milestones, gaining international recognition for its approach. By 2017, its seaweed-based packaging was featured in global news, and it won the Social Venture Challenge Asia in the same year. The company also won the Circular Design Challenge in 2018, organized by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. Co-founder Edwin Tan was recognized in the 2022 Meaningful Business 100 for his leadership in combining profit with purpose. Keywords: sustainable packaging, seaweed-based, biodegradable materials, plastic alternatives, social enterprise, circular economy, edible packaging, waste reduction, compostable products, eco-friendly