Innovation

In 2011 when MySoda was founded by David Solomon, he had the ambition to make a sparkling water machine that is not made out of plastic but out of wood. The material of the machine today consists of residuals from the Finnish forest industry: 99% non-fossil based and 1% glue. In addition to wooden sparkling water machines, MySoda produces flavour syrups to create different soda flavours, e.g., cola, cranberry and lemon, at home. The syrup can produce up to eight litres of soda, making it a more sustainable option than buying readymade sodas or sparkling water in the store. For example, eight litres of soda correspond to over five 1,5 litres-bottles of readymade soda – the syrup bottle weighing 0,5 kg and the five bottles of readymade soda weighing 8 kg. The savings in emissions and transportation costs are significant.

MySoda is trying to eliminate plastic usage in both sparkling water machines and in consumers everyday life. The idea behind the machine is also to try to discourage consumers from buying beverages in plastic bottles in countries where tap water is drinkable. The solution offers an alternative for drinking sparkling beverages but without having to buy the drink in a small bottle that will most likely be thrown away right after finishing the drink.

Inspiration

The biggest trigger for the innovation of MySoda was beverage industry's impact on the environment through e.g. transportation emissions and plastic pollution. Indeed, “The biggest plastic polluters are the biggest beverage companies ”, says David Salomon. Because of this MySoda's main goal is “--to change the industry in a more sustainable direction; we wanted to offer the possibility for consumers to really enjoy sparkling drinks but in a much more sustainable way”.

If the beverage industry is willing to remain relevant it has to change and adapt to new needs and sensitivities of the market - like sustainability nowadays. Therefore, MySoda wants to lead the industry in a more sustainable direction, trying “to create a platform where consumers can make the most sustainable sparkling drinks in the world”.

Overall impact

MySoda products have a strong environmental and social impact. They are made out of wood waste and therefore offer a more sustainable product than those that are fossil-based or require cutting new trees. The non-fossil innovation contributes to a significant reduction in pollution caused by the over-consumption of plastic; indeed, up to 60 one litre bottles of sparkling water can be saved with a single cylinder. Avoiding cutting trees contributes to saving forests.

In addition, the MySoda carbon dioxide cylinders are filled with renewable energy, they are also recyclable and have a lifespan of 40 years. The company is committed to reducing emissions from transporting the Co2 cylinders, as David Solomon says: “The biggest emission doesn't come from the product, it comes from the transportation”. MySoda only uses raw materials from Finland and at the same time promotes the establishment of new branches in the foreign countries in which it operates in order to reduce transportation’s times and consequently its emissions.

From a social perspective, MySoda is working to generate a positive impact in the long term by helping almost 10 companies to initiate similar sustainable processes. In this sense, it contributes to creating a real movement of companies committed to these issues that can in turn raise awareness among locals and thus generate a positive virtuous circle. All of this contributes to small actions in the short term that can generate a large impact in the long term.

Business benefit

The innovation behind MySoda is the reason for its business success. Among competitors, they were the first ones who decided to produce a more sustainable alternative to existing sparkling water makers. The development of wood composite as an alternative to fossil-based plastic is changing the industry and shows competitors MySoda’s level of ambition.

Reducing shipping and filling the cylinders locally could convince investors and retailers to work together. That did not only work in Finland, the country of origin of the company, but also in Europe. MySoda has another filling station in France and sells its product in many European countries. This shows that the sustainable approach towards less transport is also scalable in Europe, because no empty cylinders must be shipped back to Finland, instead they can be refilled locally. The market for sustainable kitchen devices is increasing and MySoda is a part of that growth.

In 2021, MySoda won the Red Dot Design Award and impressed the jury with its innovation, design, functionality, environmental compatibility and durability. That also promotes the visibility and prominence of the company for potential clients and investors. The company wants to increase the longevity of the kitchen device, so clients stay content with the design and product for a long time. MySoda can be seen as a role model for other companies that look for more environmentally friendly materials. Their innovation is not protected, and therefore open for other companies to use. In the past, MySoda has exchanged its knowledge with other companies.

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Social and environmental benefit

MySoda is targeting the SDGs “Responsible Consumption and Production”, “Climate Action” and “Reducing Inequalities” through the bio composite material, less waste, less transport and constant auditing of working conditions of their employees. The material of MySoda machines is residues from the wood and pulp industry in Finland and comes from sustainably managed forests. The sparkling water makers consist of 40 % of wood chips and 60 % of crude tall oil-based bioplastic, only a small proportion of the material is not wood-based due to hygienic reasons. Hence, leftovers of the forest industry are not burned and recycled instead.

Furthermore, they aim to reduce transportation by focusing on local production. Empty cylinders can be refilled in different locations in Europe and do not need to be shipped all over. Whereas only around 25.000 liters of mineral water in disposable PET bottles can be transported in one truckload, one cargo of carbonic acid cylinders can convey 1.125 million liters of water. The consequence of more self-made sparkling water is reduced waste because no PET bottle needs to be recycled.

Moreover, by expanding the company to more places around Europe, MySoda also provides more employment and can therefore indirectly have an impact on gender equality by observing equal wages and opportunities.

Interview

David Solomon, Chief Executive Officer