Lunch with Sanny Theodora of Avani Eco
One of the main and noticeable ways that Stain has committed to becoming sustainable, is our packaging. We knew that not incorporating plastic in our packaging is a large step in making an impact in the environment, while raising awareness to sustainability. Each Stain garment is packaged in Avani Eco bio-cassava bags that are biodegradable and compostable.
We were joined with Sanny Theodora, Business Development of Avani Eco and wife to Kevin Kumala, founder of Avani Eco. Sanny and Kevin met through a friend and linked up when she needed unique packaging for a project in 2016. Through this, she was introduced to a new concept of sustainable packaging and “the rest was history”.
Kevin launched Avani Eco in 2014 and Sanny officially joined the company in 2017. We chatted with Sanny to learn more about her life and Avani Eco.
Indonesia is your home, what are your favorite things about the country and why?
I was born and raised in Jakarta. The natural beauty of Indonesia is evident, but what I love most about being here in Asia is that it is a land of opportunities. You can do anything in Indonesia once you put your mind and channel your energy into it, the rest will come into fruition.
What changes have you made in your daily life to live more sustainably?
I think the point is to be vulnerable and dare to say that we are not perfect in any way yet. The most significant change was to eliminate single use plastic by opting to not use plastic straws and other types of plastics outside. At home, we tried to change things slowly, like changing the furniture at home and getting a home composting machine. We try to incorporate whatever we can with the resources we have. 
What is “Avani”?
Avani is the Sanskrit word for Earth. So our concept is using the components/materials from earth and bring it back to earth. We would like to call ourselves a social company and we care to the triple bottom line: people, planet and profit.
Indonesia is known for its plastic and waste pollution, what are the steps you think people here can take to control the consumption of plastic?
The easiest way to reduce the consumption of plastic would be to eliminate single use plastic, and to raise awareness and educate starting at an early age: knowing the effects of plastic, the steps you can take in your daily lives, what and how to compost. People know that plastic is bad, but they don’t know why its bad.
As a Business Development in Avani Eco, what is the next step?
We have a PLA(n), plan your compost. Different establishments where we drop our inventory to can opt to be in this PLA(n). After the product is used, the establishment will separate the PLA “trash” and then return it to us. After we reach the minimum cubication, we will give it to our composting partner to make it into compost which will then be given back to farmers to use.
In the past five years what do you think has changed in Indonesians mindset towards sustainability?
It’s still very much growing, looking at my immediate circle of friends, people are really starting get aware, and realize that plastic is not good, especially single use. I’m really glad we are starting to move towards the right path, and I can only hope people will be more engrossed into taking care of our Mother Earth. 
What she wore: Juniper Tunic in Seaweed
Where we ate: Three Buns, Jakarta