Margarita Follert is a Chile-based designer and her sustainability project boasts biodegradable packaging alternatives. The main resource for this project is algae. Follert boils the red algae to extract agar -- " a jelly-like polysaccharide substance." She then combines it with a plasticizer and an additive to reach the final product. The consistency of the output depends on the varying amounts of each ingredient.
To make the biodegradable packaging alternative more aesthetically pleasing, Margarita Follert uses natural color dyes that are taken from the skins of fruit and vegetables. This includes purple cabbage, blueberries, carrot, and beetroot colorways.
Excellent for the storage and transportation of dry foods, the designer's venture into planet-friendly sustainable material packaging truly paves the way to the abolition of harmful plastic materials that are used throughout industries.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Algae-based Sustainable Packaging
- The use of algae to create sustainable packaging alternatives offers an innovative solution to reduce plastic waste in the packaging industry.
- Biodegradable Packaging
- The trend of biodegradable packaging alternatives is disrupting the industry and creating opportunities to develop new packaging materials that are eco-friendly.
- Natural Color Dyes
- The use of natural color dyes for packaging enhances the aesthetic appeal of sustainable packaging solutions and aligns with consumer preferences for eco-friendly packaging options.
Where This Applies
- Packaging
- The packaging industry has the opportunity to innovate and develop sustainable packaging materials that reduce waste and promote eco-friendliness.
- Food
- The food industry can benefit from using sustainable packaging alternatives that are biodegradable and have minimal impact on the environment.
- Textile
- The textile industry can explore the use of sustainable materials, such as algae-based fibers, to create eco-friendly clothing and accessories that align with consumer demand for sustainability.
