The consumption of non-renewable resources for single use items and the amount of waste generated is profoundly unsustainable. That’s why London-based tech startup NotPla wants to make packaging disappear. They have created a water ‘bottle’ you can eat.

Ooho! is a natural packaging made of seaweed, entirely compostable and biodegradable. Inspired by egg yolks, water is trapped inside layers made up of brown algae and calcium chloride and can be drunk when those membranes are punctured. The membranes have been compared to the skin of an apple, as they can then be eaten or thrown away.

The goal is to create a waste-free alternative to plastic bottles, cups and sachets with a material that is as cheap as plastic and can encapsulate most liquids including water, soft drinks, spirits and condiments.

In April 2019, London Marathon trialed Oohos for the first time on a major scale, sponsored by Lucozade. The pods provided runners with a few gulps of Lucozade for a thirst-quenching pop. Water filled Oohos are popping up at races all over the UK.

“Fixing the future means ensuring that cities are sustainable by having good infrastructure (transport and waste) to enable people to commute, shop and live sustainably without impacting the environment.” – Lise Honsinger, CFO, NotPla

Editor’s update: Ooho can now encapsulate a wide range of sauces, salad dressings and condiments. Developed with the take-away industry in mind, their sachets made from Notpla range from 10-60 ml and can be composted with the rest of the food-waste. They’ve also developed a coating made from Notpla for the food takeaway industry, biodegradable and even repulpable.

? AtlasEvent ► Ooho were part of Fixing the future 2019 in Barcelona.

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