Is Edible Packaging on the Menu?

It’s plastic-free July and we are exploring viable and sustainable packaging materials.

The challenge with plastic packaging is the volume of waste that ends up in landfill, clogs our rivers and oceans or is discarded as litter. Could edible packaging provide the solution?

Discover More About Notpla

Notpla is a company that is developing packaging from natural materials, which can be eaten. At present, their main sustainable packaging material, Ooho, is a plastic alternative made from seaweed.

If you think this sounds like science fiction, rather than a viable alternative to plastic, read on.

Ooho starts as brown seaweed, a fast-growing plant that can be sustainably cultivated. The Notpla team transforms this into a transparent, waterproof and greaseproof material. It is an ideal packaging option for sauces and can be added to the pan as a complete unit – no mess, no waste!

In 2019, 30,000 Ooho drink capsules were handed out to runners at the London Marathon* in place of plastic water bottles. Runners could pop the whole capsule in their mouth, where the packaging would dissolve away. A waste-free way to rehydrate! This was a major trial of the product and showcased its viability for a range of uses.

Ooho can also be used as a water-resistant coating on the inside of paper products, including takeaway cups and boxes. This makes the packaging fully recyclable and safe to compost. Their burger and takeaway range are available to purchase online and have been used at many UK festivals.

In the bid to make packaging disappear, Notpla continues to research and develop other natural, biodegradable and edible packaging options. Is it conceivable that nature and science can provide many viable alternatives to plastic?

* https://www.greenmatters.com/p/ooho-seaweed-water-london-marathon