Sustainable Alternatives to Plastic

1. DAIRY PLASTIC

Made from casein, the protein found in milk, dairy-based “plastic” has been in existence for more than a century but was replaced by synthetic plastics. French company Lactips has combined the protein with clay and a reactive molecule (glyceraldehyde) to make a hardier plastic that is still biodegradable.

2. CRUSTACEAN PLASTIC BAGS

Chitosan, made from prawn and crab shells, has the potential to replace plastic in packaging for food and drinks.

3. CALCIUM CARBONATE PAPER

Billed as “paper made out of stone”, calcium carbonate paper is printable, recyclable, and water-proof. It can be used to make FDA-certified food grade packaging, paper bags, takeaway food cartons, grease paper wraps and zipper storage bags.

4. LEAFY PLASTIC

Instead of single-use plastics made from styrofoam, bioplastics can be made from a variety of sources like corn and can be broken down into polylactic acid (PLA). These types of plastics can be made into drinks bottles, food grade containers and films.

5. MYCELLUM PACKAGING

Ecovative Design uses agricultural waste with mycellum (mushroom roots) in moulds to produce packaging.

6. PALM (OPEH) LEAVES

Palm leaves from the areca palm tree can be collected and moulded into the desired shape. In Singapore, the broader stem of the palm leaves is used by fried Hokkien prawn noodle sellers, Char Kway Teow

(fried rice noodles) sellers and

Hor Fun (broad rice noodles) sellers as proof of their authentic “old-fashioned” taste street-cred.

7. GREEN LOOSE FILL

Made from corn starch, EcoFlo loose fill is used the same way as polystyrene loose fill in packaging.

8. SUGARCANE PACKAGING

Made from the by-product of sugarcane processing, bagasse is malleable and sticky and can be made into packaging for food delivery, similar to polystyrene.

It’s biodegradable and compostable.

9. EDIBLE WATER BUBBLES

Water bubbles made of seaweed – bubbles you can eat. Made by Ooho, a UK startup, the manufacturing process uses five times less carbon dioxide and nine times less energy than PET.

10. BARLEY AND WHEAT

SIX-PACK RING

SaltWater Brewery in the US has produced a six-pack ring for its beer that is edible and biodegradable. It’s made from barley and wheat buttons from the beer brewing process.

11. SILBERBOARD –

METALLISED PAPER

Recyclable and compostable, Silberboard is an alternative to traditional composite metalised paper and boards.

12. BIODEGRADABLE

CELLOPHANE

Biodegradable and made from wood pulp, NatureFlex is a sustainable cellophane. The uncoated version can be used for chocolate and confectionary, the semi-permeable for fresh produce and diary, and the barrier version can be used for baked goods, snacks, coffee, tea and personal care items.

13. BEHAVIOURAL CHANGES

As consumers, we need to demand a switch from the cheap, lower priced disposable appliance back to a higher priced, dependable appliance. From bringing our own metal tiffin food carriers to using washable crockery, we need to realise that the complete cost of an appliance includes the environmental as well as the material cost.