Daniel Gajardo, MSc Environment & Resources (E-IPER) / MA International Policy
Graduate Fellow,
Sway
The answer to many of our sustainability questions might be in our oceans, in the form of seaweed. These plant-like organisms are crucial part of marine ecosystems and have been used for centuries as a source of food for cultures around the world. However, just in the past couple of decades humanity has started to reckon with the broader environmental and climate opportunities that revolve around seaweed. This summer I will work with one of the companies at the frontier of seaweed-related environmental innovations. Sway is a biomaterials company making seaweed-based packaging, offering alternatives for polluting and fossil-intensive plastics while helping untap the environmental potential of macroalgae.
It is hard not to get excited with the potential that seaweed offers. Products like Sway’s are not only displacing plastics out of our economy, with the subsequent reduction in emissions and pollution. If done right, the process of growing and harvesting seaweed can be a pathway to regenerate our oceans. Studies have shown that seaweed farms can provide habitat and increase biodiversity, act as tools for bioremediating acidified and contaminated waters, and could even play a role in climate change adaptation and mitigation. As an Ocean Sciences fellow, my role is to make sure Sway’s intentions as a purpose-driven company are matched with supply chain practices that are backed by science and can truly regenerate the ocean. Strengthening Sway’s impact thesis can help identify best practices and partners in order to promote the sustainable growth of the seaweed industry, while also setting the company for success when developing relationships with impact-driven investors, end-users and clients.
In order to flush out the science and practices behind regenerative seaweed aquaculture, my works consists of conducting literature review and expert interviews exploring the ecosystem services and environmental impacts of macroalgae farms. Once I have a better understanding of the state of the art, I will work in close collaboration with the rest of Sway’s team to create actionable recommendations and strategies. This involves working primarily with the company’s sourcing and impact leads, while also maintaining constant communication with the areas of business development, and research & development. As any early-stage company, things in Sway are moving fast, which makes coordination even more important and increases the importance of having a clear understanding of which sourcing practices are truly better for the oceans.
Beyond learning about ocean ecology and the seaweed industry, this summer has been an opportunity to get a glimpse into the day-to-day of an early stage environment-focused venture. I feel extremely fortunate to join the ride while the company works tirelessly to bring its sustainable packaging vision into reality. My learning-process taps into a broader company effort to gain as much knowledge as possible about every stage of the product’s use-cycle. We have visited sustainable farming operations to understand their approach to sustainable growth and harvesting of crops, waste management facilities to visualize the challenges of composting. Ultimately, I am extremely grateful to be part of an organization that is asking the right questions from the beginning, and is not compromising that its product should promote healthy ecosystems on land and sea.
