Author: Mridu Goyal
As a kid, I had the habit of nibbling on the wrappers of my chocolates, chips, and candies. I wanted to savor the flavors until the last moment. I thought it was just an innocent craving from childhood, but scrolling through my Instagram feed, I discovered that my childhood fantasy is now an area of exploration!
In today’s fast-paced world, urbanization and technology advancements have made life
more convenient than ever before. From food deliveries and takeaways to pre-packaged meals at supermarkets, consumers enjoy the ease of getting their necessities delivered right to their doorstep. However, this convenience comes at a significant environmental and health cost—unsustainable food packaging.
Over the past few years, the spotlight has been on food packaging, especially due to the widespread use of plastics. These materials are non-biodegradable and decompose at extremely low rates, often ending up in landfills and oceans. Additionally, they can leach harmful chemicals into food, which negatively impacts human health. According to studies, plastic packaging contains microplastics that have been detected in human cells, raising health concerns. For example, research from the University of Victoria found that the average person consumes about 50,000 microplastic particles a year.
Can you imagine the microplastics we will consume in a lifetime??
Improper disposal of these materials has also wreaked havoc on the environment, contributing to pollution, degrading aquatic life, and releasing toxins into the atmosphere. According to a report by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, it is estimated that by 2050, the oceans could contain more plastic than fish. This highlights the urgent need to rethink food packaging to protect both human health and the environment.
In response to these problems, institutions, individuals, schools, and scientists amongst others, have been searching for sustainable alternatives to this growing problem. This blog attempts to explore one such solution i.e. Edible packaging.
What is Edible Packaging?
Edible packaging is a type of biodegradable packaging made from materials that are safe for human consumption. According to Packaging Europe, edible packaging is defined as a thin layer of food-grade material designed to wrap or contain food items and can be safely eaten by the consumer. These materials are often sourced from natural substances like seaweed, starch, rice, or fruit peels, making them an excellent alternative to plastic.
Does it tackle the problem?
Edible packaging addresses multiple concerns at once:
Health and Safety: It eliminates harmful chemicals and microplastics found in conventional packaging, ensuring the food remains uncontaminated.
Environmental Benefits: Since it is biodegradable, edible packaging reduces waste in landfills and oceans. Even if not consumed, it decomposes naturally, leaving behind no harmful residues.
Sustainability: As the packaging can often be sourced from agricultural by-products, it promotes a circular economy, minimizing waste at all stages of the supply chain.
Childhood fantasy in action:
Notpla, a UK-based startup, is on a mission to eliminate single-use plastics by creating seaweed-based packaging solutions. Their goal is to replace plastic in areas like food delivery, takeaway containers, and single-use sachets. One notable example was during the London Marathon, where Notpla used their seaweed packaging to provide athletes with water and sports drinks, significantly reducing the event's plastic waste.
Founded in 2017, the company produces tableware from a blend of multigrain flour, binding agents, and natural Indian spices. These natural products are free from preservatives and are compostable within a few weeks. Trishula's zero-waste, negative-carbon footprint approach has garnered recognition from several sustainability organizations.
To conclude, I hope that curious minds and brave hearts continue to explore this field of sustainable packaging, and save the planet and it’s residents from the end of the world. Taking inspiration from the wisdom of Professor Dumbledore, 'Help will always be given by nature, to those who ask for it.'
We'd love to know your thoughts on this innovation!
Ps: It's not the end. If you're excited to learn more, stay tuned! We have a special workshop coming up soon ;)
Interesting, would love to know more!