Packaging of the Month February 2025: Evoware – edible packaging made from algae

In January, we already chose an edible packaging as our Packaging of the Month. Now, in February, we are once again honoring a similar product, because the practical sachets from the Indonesian brand Evoware also deserve to be taken a closer look at. They are made of algae, are tasteless and contain vitamins as well as minerals and fiber – good arguments for simply consuming the packaging. If you don’t trust the roast, you can also compost the sachets instead. In any case, the sachets are fully biodegradable.

Versatile sachets made from seaweed

Evoware packaging is based on seaweed. It is designed as sachets that can be used for sandwiches and burgers, sweets or powders such as spices, coffee and tea, for example. In addition, hygiene items such as toothpicks, soaps or sanitary napkins can be packaged with the sachets. According to the manufacturer, the packaging can be stored for up to two years.

Eat or don’t eat? Yes, the sachets made of algae contain healthy ingredients. But can you eat them with a clear conscience when they have been touched by countless human hands and have been lying on a wide variety of surfaces, some of which may not have been clean? Evoware itself points out that this could well be problematic. If the sachets are used as outer packaging without any further packaging, it usually makes more sense to let them rot on the compost to become fertilizer, because it is safer. Alternatively, you can also hold them under hot water. If the algae shell comes into contact with it, it simply dissolves.

Reducing plastic waste, strengthening the economy

Indonesia is the second largest polluter of plastic waste on our planet, after China. The fact that the actually so gorgeous Indonesian beaches are increasingly drowning in the washed up garbage is due not only to the poorly organized waste management in the country, but also to the fact that Indonesia receives parts of the waste from other countries, such as European ones.

The six Indonesian founders of Evoware are tired of standing idly by and watching the waste problem grow in their homeland. So they turned to another product that is also available in abundance in their country: Indonesia is one of the largest producers of seaweed in the world.

Growing seaweed requires neither additional water nor fertilizer, nor much space. According to the manufacturer, up to 40 tons of seaweed can be grown on an area the size of a baseball field. Algae cultivation supports the livelihoods of numerous Indonesian farmers who earn their money from it. Evoware therefore kills two birds with one stone: the brand helps to reduce plastic waste and at the same time strengthens the Indonesian economy.

Incidentally, in addition to the alternative packaging, Evoware also produces edible disposable cups called “Ello Jello”. These are available in a variety of flavors, including peppermint, lychee, orange and green tea. The algae material can be designed in different colors and even printed with logos, so that a lot is possible from a creative point of view – the keyword here being branding.

Source: https://rethink-plastic.com/home/ – Evoware