Australian researchers make packaging from vegetable waste
Researchers at Victoria University (VU) in Australia have been investigating how affordable, easily compostable packaging made from vegetable waste such as zucchini, broccoli, celery and lettuce could help reduce the need for single-use plastics.
The work is underway as the Australian Government aims for all packaging to be reusable, recycled or compostable by 2025.
As more countries implement plastic bans and consumer awareness increases, the global market for "bio-packaging," or environmentally friendly food packaging, is expected to reach an estimated $184 billion by 2026.
Polymer expert Dr Marlene Cran and her team have been developing a drug in research laboratories on VU's Werribee campus, using leftover produce from nearby Werribee South market farms.
The team used the leaves and stems of leftover or discarded products that could otherwise be used in animal feed or sent to landfills to create a variety of food packaging products.
To make the process as natural, cost-effective and simple as possible for future scale-up, the team aimed to use as few interventions as possible, such as intensive drying or the use of excess additives.
Researchers from VU have found that celery is high in cellulose and is perfect for food trays, while lettuce, zucchini and broccoli can be processed into thick films that can be used as tray inserts or product separators.
Partially dried waste, mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms, can be used to make an excellent substitute for plastic foam boxes.
Off the farm, the team is using starch waste from the yellow pea protein extraction process to create a flexible film that could replace plastic in a truly circular economy. "In the future, there may be protein powders or dried peas sold in bags made from leftover starch from vegetables ... in bags," Dr. Cran said. "That's the dream."
She claims that replacing single-use packaging with sustainable natural products makes sense, despite the lack of industrial-scale testing facilities and the cost of doing so.
