According to the UN each year the human race produces over 300 million tons of plastic and each day millions of pieces of plastic land in the ocean killing hundreds of millions of marine animals annually. As the problem keeps on growing many across the world try to find solutions. The big issue? How can we substitute plastic, especially single-use plastic bags, packages, and wrappings.
Many countries across the world have banned certain plastic items like straws or shopping bags and many companies start going more green in fear of public opinion. But there is still a long way to go. There are just too many products that need the plastic package. Or do they? A British company called Notpla is designing seaweed-based packaging, film wrap, and paper wrappers in hopes of fighting not only water pollution but also global warming. According to founders Rodrigo García González and Pierre Paslie seaweed is a perfect material. It grows quickly, doesn’t use land, doesn’t need pesticides, and has a positive effect on the ocean’s ecosystem. In addition to that, it sequesters carbon from the air and lowers the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. The Notpla packaging is 100% edible and the company is even experimenting with adding flavoring to the seaweed. But even if you throw it away it will decompose within a few weeks and cause no harm to the marine animals.
So how does it work? The process is simple: powdered, dried seaweed is mixed with other, secret plant-based ingredients to form a thick, gel-like fluid that is later formed in a special machine and dries to become a plastic-like packaging.
With several initiatives like Notpla the world is starting to head in the right direction but we still have a lot of work to do. We all need to be more responsible and thoughtful when it comes to our planet, and take action.
Sources: businessinsider.com, generationsnouvelles.net, notpla.com