Packaging from Seaweed


Seaweed seems to play an important role in the (hopefuly not so far) sustainable future. Different companies are trying to develop packaging products made of it. Seaweed has the potential to replace practically all plastic packaging. One of those companies is Noriware. They have developped a "plastic film" made 100% of organic materials. Have a look on their website to find out more.



Single Use Plates made of Leaves


A German based company "leaf republic" used to produce single use plates out of leaves which is a great environmentally friendly alternative to single use plastic. There are currently plates made of palm leaf, bamboo leaf, banana leaf, sugarcane, grass,..  So next time you are planning a party or for your stand at the next food festival look for plates that are biodegradable. 

The advantage of plates made of leaves is that those leaves would normally rot unused anyway. By using them as plates no trees need to be cut and no chemicals are used that can harm the environment and less energy is needed because the material doesn't have to be produced first which is lowering its carbon footprint.


Probably the main part of its CO2 footprint comes from its transportation so if possible try find "leaf plates" who were produced near to your location. Check out following links for additional info on the topic.



Coffee Capsules without Capsule


Since Nestlé invented the espresso coffee machine with capsules (Nespresso) we have to deal with additional waste. In Switzerland we try to recycle the alunminium made capsules. But while the recycling process itself affords energy a part of the capsules that are being shipped around the world will likely end up in landmills or even the sea. Swiss retailer Migros therefore has invented coffee "capsules" that are made of nothing but compressed coffee! The so called Coffee B. For those who have a Nespresso machine already at least there are capsules now that are made of paper and biodegradable. There is also a company that produces Nespresso compatible capsules made of waste wood.