How To Make Plastic From Seaweed | World Wide Waste | Business Insider

Summary

The video explores how startups are using seaweed as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic. Julia Marsh, founder of Sway, leads a company creating biodegradable films from seaweed to replace single-use plastics, focusing on hard-to-recycle items like retail bags. Seaweed, a fast-growing, renewable resource, can be farmed without harming ecosystems and even improves environmental health. Sway’s materials aim to compete with traditional plastics in cost and performance, with the potential to transform packaging industries. The video highlights the promise of seaweed-based solutions to combat plastic pollution and enhance sustainability.

Takeaways

• 🌊 Seaweed can be transformed into a biodegradable material similar to plastic wrap.
• 🌿 There are thousands of species of seaweed, some of which are highly flexible and see-through.
• 📈 Giant kelp, a type of seaweed, can grow up to 2 feet every day.
• 🔬 With chemical adjustments, slimy kelp can be made into clear sheets for packaging that can break down in compost.
• 🏭 Startups are developing seaweed-based alternatives to reduce plastic waste, especially for hard-to-recycle packaging.
• 💸 The challenge is to compete with the low cost of plastic while offering an eco-friendly option.
• 🌱 Julia Marsh founded Sway, a startup creating compostable replacements for single-use plastics, focusing on thin films.
• 🧪 Sway's process involves combining seaweed powder with sugars and starches, then casting it into a film.
• 🔄 The seaweed-based film is designed to degrade faster than traditional plastics but not as quickly as lettuce.
• 🌍 Seaweed farming can provide a sustainable source of raw material without harming the environment.
• 🌱 Seaweed farming can also help reverse ocean acidification and support biodiversity.
• 🏆 Sway is competing for the Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize, aiming to replace poly bags with their seaweed-based product.

Q & A

What is the main material being discussed in the script, and how is it used?

The main material discussed is seaweed, specifically kelp, which can be transformed into biodegradable plastic-like films. These films are used as an eco-friendly replacement for single-use plastics such as food wrappers and shopping bags.

Why is seaweed considered a good alternative to plastic for packaging?

Seaweed is considered a good alternative because it grows quickly, doesn't require fresh water, pesticides, or fertilizer, and can be harvested without killing the plant. Additionally, seaweed-based packaging can break down faster in compost compared to regular plastics.

How does the company Sway use seaweed to make biodegradable plastic films?

Sway processes seaweed by drying and powdering it. This powder is then mixed with water, sugars, and starches, and heated to create a gel-like material. The material is cast into films, which can be used as compostable packaging.

What are the advantages of using kelp in packaging over traditional plastic?

Kelp-based packaging is biodegradable, compostable, and does not contribute to ocean pollution like traditional plastic. It also supports regeneration of ecosystems, doesn't require freshwater or harmful chemicals for growth, and helps fight ocean acidification.

What problem does Sway aim to address with their seaweed-based packaging?

Sway aims to address the issue of plastic pollution, particularly from thin plastic films that are hard to recycle and often end up in the ocean, harming marine life. Their seaweed-based packaging is a sustainable alternative to reduce this waste.

How does Sway test the strength and durability of their seaweed packaging films?

Sway uses a laboratory setup to test the strength, stretchability, and durability of their films. This includes placing the material in a machine that stretches the film to measure how much force it can withstand.

What are some challenges Sway faces in producing seaweed-based packaging?

One challenge is achieving the right strength, stretchability, water resistance, and color so that the seaweed films can replace traditional plastics without requiring manufacturers to change their production processes. Additionally, they need to meet industry standards, especially for food packaging.

What potential benefits does seaweed farming offer to coastal communities?

Seaweed farming can provide climate-resilient employment opportunities for coastal communities affected by overfishing and climate change. It also contributes to ecosystem health by reversing ocean acidification and creating habitats for marine life.

How long does it take for Sway's seaweed-based packaging to decompose in compost bins?

Sway's seaweed-based packaging decomposes in under 48 days in industrial composting facilities. In home compost bins, it may take slightly longer, but still degrades faster than traditional plastics.

What is the goal of the Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize that Sway is competing for?

The Tom Ford Plastic Innovation Prize aims to award over $1 million to startups that can develop a viable replacement for poly bags, which are a significant source of plastic pollution. Sway is one of the finalists, with half of the competitors using seaweed as their primary material.