Our idea, “Kel-Jel”, fits in with the theme breaking boundaries because it is a fun way to get people to take care of their hygiene while reducing plastic waste. It eliminates the use of all plastic consumer products. Our product does not have to be just body wash, it can be antibacterial soap and dish soap. This could be a way for hospitals, cafeterias and other public places to get closer to becoming plastic-free.

Our product goal is to help people go green and eliminate non-biodegradable plastic that go into our oceans while keeping it allergen-free and disability friendly. We want to make it easier for people to go zero waste and to reduce the amount of plastic used in their everyday lives. We also plan to make our product vegetarian-friendly and organic.

Instead of making dissolvable biodegradable holders or making the body wash crushable, our product has a jelly exterior. The jelly has one purpose; to contain the body wash. Additionally, it is part body wash which when you lather the product it foams up with the body wash inside. The unique approach for the container is to make the material out of kelp instead of seaweed or another ingredient.

Our competitors are companies like Earth Suds where they have crushable tablets of shampoo or body wash that is plastic-free with a package that is made from cardboard. Other zero-waste stores have products that are similar but use reusable packaging that you could easily refill. Our product, Kel-Jel is different because we have a jelly exterior as a container for the body wash inside. The body wash is homemade and chemical and allergen-free. The competitors for our container are other plastics, like the plastic that water bottles are made of. We are different than what is already out there because we, instead of using non-biodegradable plastic or plastic with high allergen risk, we use a mostly allergen-free biodegradable mix.