Seagrass 3

You know all about mushroom packaging thanks to one of our recent blog posts (if you missed it then you can read all about it here) and now seagrass packaging is making waves in the industry. Learn what seagrass packaging is and how it promises to reduce plastic waste.

Seagrass Packaging: A Biodegradable Packaging Solution

Felix Pöttinger, a student at London’s Royal College of Art, has developed a new type of sustainable food packaging using washed-up seagrass. Why? Well, the German designer and student created the POC packaging as part of his Design Products masters. Pöttinger claims that not only is the food packaging material completely biodegradable, it also possesses antibacterial properties that can keep food fresh.

How Does Seagrass Packaging Work?

A cellulose-based extract from the seagrass plant binds the dried seagrass fibre together. Once mixed, the seagrass is then pressed into a metal mould and baked until completely dry.

Pöttinger has said, “It’s a natural waste material, and past research showed that it is highly resistant against mould. I am only using the dead seagrass fibres that appear on the beaches of the Mediterranean coast, so there is no industrial harvesting process to harm the population of the seagrass or any living being.” Therefore, the production of this new, biodegradable food packaging does not affect the population of seagrass in any way.

Pöttinger’s Plans for Seagrass Packaging

The award-winning designer believes that seagrass could be easily integrated into the industrial process and has made prototype POC containers based on the shape of current packaging. In order to gain a better understanding of large-scale food supply chains and the possibilities of technology, Pöttinger worked with Tesco and Microsoft Research Lab on the project.

He also tested the composite for its antibacterial and structural qualities in materials labs and hopes that his concept will reduce both food and plastic packaging waste going forward. The multidisciplinary designer plans to set up a materials-based company, which will investigate the possibilities for POC and ensure the material meets EU food packaging regulation through continuous testing.

While we don’t have a material quite like seagrass packaging here at Charlotte Packaging, we do supply fully biodegradable packaging materials so you can adopt a green ethos and benefit from positive brand recognition.

Browse and buy our range of biodegradable packaging solutions and you’ll effortlessly help the environment.

Recommended Reading:

The Top Packaging Don’ts: The Big Faux Pas to Avoid

Sustainable Packaging: How Your Company Can Help the Environment

 

(Images: Felix Pöttinger)