Plastic pollution is a significant global concern, with estimates suggesting that approximately eight million tonnes of plastic enter the marine environment each year. This alarming trend indicates that by 2050, the world’s oceans could contain more plastic than fish.
However, a new wave of packaging pioneers firmly believes that innovation can provide a solution to the plastic problem. These forward-thinking entrepreneurs are harnessing unlikely materials such as fungi, algae, and grains to create sustainable alternatives.
During our upcoming Climate Smart Food digital event, taking place from 19-21 September, we will have the opportunity to hear from these pioneers in the alternative plastic space as they pitch their groundbreaking innovations. Registration for this free-to-attend summit is now open.
One of the start-ups paving the way is MadeRight, an Israeli company that utilizes fungi fermentation technology to develop sustainable packaging. Founder Rotem Cahanovitc will showcase how MadeRight upcycles industrial organic side streams from the food, agriculture, and biotechnology industries into biomass. This biomass is then combined with plastics (whether fossil-based or bioplastics) to manufacture packaging.
Cupffee, a Bulgarian business, introduces edible coffee cups made from oats and wheat. Marketing director Gergana Krusteva explains that traditional paper cups, often considered a sustainable alternative, fall short due to their plastic linings, involvement in deforestation, and significant energy usage during production. Cupffee’s innovative and eco-friendly solution involves natural ingredients, resulting in vegan cups that enhance the coffee experience while minimizing waste. In fact, their production process generates zero waste, with excess material utilized to produce stirrers. With a global presence and partnerships with leading coffee brands, Cupffee is set to challenge assumptions, alter consumption habits, and inspire environmental change.
Another compelling start-up is Notpla, based in the UK, which crafts sustainable packaging from seaweed and plants. Co-founder and co-CEO Pierre Paslier will present the company’s innovative approach to achieving single-use without the plastic waste. Notpla gained recent recognition for supplying seaweed-lined takeaway boxes for the Earthshot Burger, a remarkable achievement acknowledged by the Earthshot prize.
In addition to these inspiring start-ups, our Climate Smart Food event will delve into a range of urgent topics related to sustainable food sourcing, production, and consumption. On each day of the event, we will explore specific themes:
– On 19 September, Climate Smart Sourcing: We will examine the importance of sustainable sourcing practices to mitigate carbon footprints and address issues related to global supply chain disruptions and human rights violations.
– On 20 September, Climate Smart Production: The focus will be on increasing output while reducing natural resource usage through initiatives such as adopting renewable energy, implementing water-saving strategies, and reimagining packaging design.
– On 21 September, Climate Smart Consumption: This discussion will revolve around overcoming barriers to climate smart consumption and understanding the role of consumer demand in driving food system transformation. We will also explore topics such as food waste reduction, effective sustainability marketing, and the future of alternative protein.
Join us for these enlightening conversations from 19-21 September by registering for free on our website. Together, let’s shape a sustainable future for the food and beverage industry.