PACKAGING MADE OF BLUEBERRIES

A Sustainable Plastic Alternative

Packaging made of blueberries might seem like a far-fetched idea. The berries are small and considered a fun and healthy antioxidant rich snack, but a team at the University of British Columbia (UBC) has turned them into so much more.

What It Is

UBC’s Food Process Engineering Laboratory’s current research includes creating starch-based packaging film alternatives using “upcycled industrial waste in various fruit pomace“.

POMACE IS THE PULPY MATERIAL THAT IS LEFT OVER AFTER JUICING OR CRUSHING A FRUIT OR VEGETABLE.

They combine the pomace with carbohydrates, starches and proteins to create the edible film! The material also uses cellulose, which helps form structure in plants. This creates a flexible and very strong material that’s comparable to plastic!

So… Why blueberries? The team at UBC is looking to also help reduce the amount of food waste that the juicing industry produces. Additionally, the antioxidants found in blueberry skins is a bonus; these antioxidants can extend the shelf life of foods as well!

WHAT KIND OF IMPACT WILL THIS HAVE?

Extracting juice from fruit produces a large amount of leftover waste. Though this waste is compostable, not every business has the capacity to properly dispose of it.

A single 16-ounce serving of cold-pressed juice generates, on average, 4.5 pounds of pulp waste.

Though blueberries are the focus of the UBC study, they are not the sole fruit/vegetable that can be used this way. The material that UBC researchers have created is truly 100% biodegradable, and doesn’t require any additional processing fo r proper disposal. This makes it a more circular option! This is critical since most waste facilities do not accept or cannot properly dispose of compostable plastics or alternative plastics.

WHAT OPTIONS DO I HAVE IN THE MEANTIME?

Packaging made of blueberries is still in its research and development phase so it’s not currently available for mass market use. Other sustainable packaging solutions like sugarcane use a similar process of incorporating the byproducts of the juicing process.

For all other kinds of packaging, using paper alternatives is also a great option!

If you’re looking for more eco-friendly packaging options, contact us today! Book a free appointment with one of our knowledgeable Business Development consultants to see how we can help!

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