Design, Entrepreneurship, Innovation Design, Sustainable Design, Uncategorized
PACKAGING THE FUTURE: EXPLORING SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS FOR FOOD PACKAGING
Last week, ERGO had the incredible privilege of partnering with GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), Lab of Tomorrow and Youthinkgreen Egypt to embark on an exhilarating innovation sprint focused on sustainable food packaging in Egypt. 🚀💚 The energy and creativity that flowed throughout the workshop were truly exhilarating, and we’re thrilled to share the remarkable insights and breakthroughs we achieved together! 💡🌱
In a world grappling with the challenges of plastic pollution and environmental degradation, it’s imperative for companies to take the lead in finding sustainable solutions that reduce life-cycle emissions, optimize material efficiency, increase and improve recyclability, and reduce packaging and material use. Together with GIZ, we explored cutting-edge ideas and technologies that could revolutionize the way we package and consume food, all while reducing our ecological footprint. 🌿♻️ It was a brainstorming frenzy that pushed the boundaries of innovation and inspired us to envision a greener, more sustainable future for all. 🌍💚
PLANT BASED BIOPLASTICS
One remarkable concept that emerged from our sprint was the utilization of plant-based bioplastics. Although more expensive than petroleum based plastics, bioplastics present a great opportunity for the Egyptian food export market because of new EU regulations that will soon prohibit the use of non biodegradable plastics in all packaging material. One new venture is working in the material innovation space to design packaging solutions made from renewable sources such as corn, mushroom, sugarcane, or even algae! 🌽🌿 These biodegradable materials not only offer a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics but also break down naturally, leaving behind no harmful residues in our environment. It’s a game-changer in our fight against plastic waste and a giant leap towards a greener future! 🌱✨
PACKAGING AS A SERVICE
Another venture delved into the realm of reusable packaging systems. Imagine your favorite food items come in containers that you can easily return and reuse, reducing the need for single-use packaging. 🔄💚 Until recently in Egypt, and still in many rural areas today, reusable packaging is part of everyday life. People bring their own bag to the local grocer, they bring their own container to refill household products, and even bring their own canisters to buy food from street vendors. By embracing this circular economy model, they aim to significantly cut down on waste and reduce stress on our environment. This innovative and culturally engrained approach not only reduces waste but also redefines our relationship with packaging.
A RELIABLE RECYCLABLE PLASTIC MARKET
A third venture focused on meeting the market need for reusable and recyclable plastic. The team is working on designing a recycling platform that connects the supply and demand sides of plastic waste through providing a stable and viable flow of recyclable material. The venture also aims at improving the quality of plastic waste by training the informal sector on quality control and standard operations of collection, sorting and crushing standards. The venture further aims to launch a sorting and crushing facility that responds to the needs of the plastic Industry with high-quality recyclable plastic, fulfilling all proper regulations and requirements. Aside from its net positive environmental impact, the solution has a positive social impact by integrating the informal sector and improving their work and quality of life. 🌍💡
The possibilities uncovered during this sprint are both awe-inspiring and humbling. They remind us that when passionate minds come together, we can create tangible solutions that drive real change. 💚🤝 A heartfelt thank you to GIZ and Lab of Tomorrow for championing sustainability and empowering people to collaborate across borders and build new ventures that create meaningful value. Let’s continue to work hand in hand, supporting companies that champion sustainable practices, support initiatives that promote responsible consumption, and inspire others to embrace a sustainable mindset. Together, we can turn these concepts into realities and create a world where sustainable food packaging is the norm. 🌱🌍💚
#InnovationSprint #ERGOxGIZ #SustainablePackaging #GreenRevolution #CircularEconomy #TogetherWeCan #SustainabilityMatters
Author
I’m a huge advocate of human-centered design, with vast interest in business design, system design and innovation management. I co-founded ERGO with the vision to restore human centricity, and advance human experience through design.
