At just 12 years old, three bright students from SJKT Nilai are tackling one of the world’s biggest environmental challenges: plastic waste. Instead of waiting for someone else to solve the problem, they rolled up their sleeves, stepped into the kitchen, and invented something remarkable — an edible spoon.
Meet the Innovators
The minds behind this project are Oviyea Balamurugan, Liyona Kannan, and Avaneesh Santha Kumar, a dynamic trio of 12-year-olds who call themselves Team Oliva Spoon. Motivated by a desire to protect the planet and inspired by the idea of blending functionality with sustainability, they set out to redesign something we all use every day — the spoon.
The Innovation
Their creation, the Oliva Spoon, is no ordinary utensil. It’s a dual-purpose edible spoon made from wheat and ragi flour, and sesame seeds, flavored with natural ingredients like beetroot, chocolate, and sweet potato. The spoon is sturdy enough to hold food, yet after a meal, it can be eaten like a cookie, making it both eco-friendly and nutritious.
“Why should spoons harm the Earth when they could help it?” the team asked. That question became the spark for months of experimenting with recipes, molds, and baking techniques until they achieved a spoon that was both functional and delicious.
Why It Matters
Every year, millions of plastic spoons end up in landfills and oceans, taking centuries to decompose. The Oliva Spoon offers a simple, affordable, and eco-friendly alternative that reduces dependency on single-use plastics.
For Malaysia, it supports the nation’s push towards sustainable innovation and inspires other young inventors to think green.
For the environment, it cuts down non-biodegradable waste while promoting responsible consumption.
For the world, it proves that even small, local innovations can contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Recognition & Awards
The brilliance of Oliva Spoon has not gone unnoticed. The project won 1st Prize at the Young Innovators National Level competition and a Gold Award at the I-SPIKE 2023 International Level, proudly showcasing Malaysian talent on both local and global stages.
Looking Ahead
Team Oliva Spoon dreams of refining their design, adding more flavors, and one day seeing their spoons being used in school canteens and sold in eco-friendly stores, and maybe even adopted worldwide. They also hope to collaborate with scientists and food technologists to strengthen their recipe, enhance durability, and create spoons that can withstand different cuisines. For them, this journey is not just about replacing plastic. It is about proving that innovation can start from the simplest of ideas and still create ripples of change.
Their vision? A Malaysia where every meal is served with sustainability in hand and in spoon, one spoonful at a time.
A Message of Hope
What started as a school project has grown into a symbol of creativity, teamwork, and responsibility. With their Oliva Spoon, Oviyea, Liyona, and Avaneesh remind us all that no idea is too small, and no innovator is too young, to make a difference.
“These spoons may be tiny, but their impact could be enormous — for Malaysia, and for the world.”
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