Since the adoption of Sustainable Development Goals in 2015, it is clear that the world’s goal is to shift onto a more sustainable path. To date, various efforts to address this issue have been initiated. One of these effort is by creating a business that supports the sustainability of the earth. In this report, this ambassador would like to introduce environmentally-friendly businesses in Indonesia.

Evoware

Evoware is one of the company that creates innovations and inventions that involve less plastics usage and  promote eco-friendly lifestyle. This company company produces seaweed-based packaging that is not only 100% biodegradable, but edible as well. Evoware was established by 23 years old David Christian in February 2016. The Evoware seaweed-based packaging products come in two basic varieties, a biodegradable one that can be used for packaging soaps and other non-consumable items, and an edible one that can be used as a food wrap, for flavoring sachets, or tea bags. The edible packaging, which is "almost tasteless and odorless," dissolves in warm water and is considered to be nutritious, as it contains high fiber, vitamins and minerals. This development of seaweed-based packaging company in Indonesia has the potential to resolve several issues, one of them being how 70% plastic waste come from food and beverage packaging. In addition, this can also contribute to Indonesia’s economy as this innovation empowers seaweed farmers in Indonesia, which is known as the largest seaweed producing country. 

Waste Bank

While waste bank is not a exactly a business, this program definitely has both the economic and environmental benefit. A lot of environmental activists use it as a way to engage citizens in cleaning up the environment. In 2018, the statistics reported that there are 8,036 waste bank spread all over the country. These waste bank contributes to the reduction of 1.7% of the nation’s total waste.

The process of the waste bank program goes like this: First, the customer separates their non-organic solid waste into three sections: bottle and metal, paper, and plastic. Then, they bring the waste to the local waste bank and make a deposit. The waste collector will weigh the waste and give it a monetary value based on the rates. This value is then saved in the client’s deposit account and they can withdraw the money. As a result, waste bank gives out impact not only to the environment, but also the local economy.

With the existence of waste bank in the community, people no longer see trash as a problem, but rather as a source of money. As they get benefits from this activity, therefore they got more excited in cleaning up the environment. Reconsidering its advantages, this project should be mainstreamed all over the world as it can be done by the government or by non-government organization.