The protein in question, called Casein, is combined with water and shaped into a thin, film-like product, which can be used to replace plastic. In addition to the new packaging being biodegradable, it’s 500 times better at preserving food than plastic is. What’s more, this packaging is actually edible! Not that you would want to, but just imagine picking up your supply of fruit and vegetables from the grocery store and then eating the packaging for dessert!
A further benefit of the new packaging is that it can help alleviate the overproduction of milk. The latter also poses a seriously environmental problem in itself, as it only contributes further to the existing food waste problem in the western world.
The scale of food wastage in developed countries is astounding to say the very least. In 2010, some 133 BILLION pounds of food was wasted in the United States alone due to it going stale on supermarket shelves, so the new Casein-based packaging can also be a big help in this regard.
Plastic takes approximately 1,000 years to biodegrade, so taking into account just how much plastic is disposed of around the world every single day, the new Casein-based packaging could be an environmental savior the likes of which has never been seen before.
According to the American Chemical Society, Casein coating can also be sprayed directly onto cereal to keep its crunchiness, negating the need to add sugar to it. There’s even suggestion that the Casein coating can be used for applications such as individual dry soup portions, rice, noodles and instant coffee. The idea is that the consumer would simply add hot water, dissolving the container and thereby eliminating packaging waste entirely.
Although it isn’t yet in production, the Casein-based packaging could change the global environment for the better once large food companies are able to get their hands on it. Hopefully it’ll be sooner rather than later.
Learn more about this amazing creation in the following video:
Content Source: The Plaid Zebra
Meet the Fish That Can Help Hold Back Aging in Humans
A recent study has revealed that African turquoise killifish are able to arrest the growth of their embryos for a long time.
This Scientist Took on Flint’s Water Crisis. She’s 12.
At 12 years old Gitanjali Rao is the inventor of Thetys, a device that detects lead in water. Watch her incredible story.
Is It 3024 Already?! – 14 Wildly Futuristic Things
These revolutionary ideas are about to change our world.
New Bionic Eye Developers Say It Will Cure Millions
Scientists are developing an artificial eye, that can potentially eliminate blindness and transform robotics!
Scientists Have Finally Created The First Living Robot
Scientists have finally created the world's first living robot. Watch the clip to find out more about this amazing discovery.
Future Now: Are Zero Emission Planes the Future of Flight?
Airbus announced a new concept of zero-emission hydrogen-powered planes, and news outlets are already calling it the future of aircraft engineering
INTERACTIVE: A Guide to the Workings of the Human Body
The human body is the most complex machine known to man, and the amount of things it has to do to keep us alive is incredible. View this interactive guide now.
Toilets: The Greatest Medical Advancement in Human History
While toilets make some people laugh, they are actually a deadly serious medical advancement. This video explains what toilets mean to civilization.
The McGurk Effect - Don't Believe Your Eyes!
What we hear can be affected by what we see...
Get a Sense of Scale of Just How Big SpaceX's Rockets Are
SpaceX is achieving incredible things in space, however it's difficult to picture just how big their rockets are. Take a look...
Ancient Skull Found In China Unlike Any Human Ever Seen
A newly-discovered skull in China had baffled scientists. This could mean we might have discovered an entirely new species of humans.
13 Incredible ROOF INNOVATIONS For Your House
Keep the roof of your house safe with these incredibly useful inventions.
Scientists Develop Wrap That Determines if Food is Spoiled
Scientists at MIT have developed a biodegradable plastic-like wrap that changes color when food goes bad. Find out more…
I Bet You Didn't Have a Clue About These Human Body Facts!
The human body is the most complex machine known to mankind, but I bet you don't know these 10 amazing facts about it...
These 20 Tech Inventions Will Define the Next Decade
The future is here. Check out some emerging technologies that are all set to chane our world forever.
Introducing the Astronauts That Were Just Launched Into Space
The two astronauts — veteran NASA fliers Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are honored to have been on this flight. Let's get to know them!
Are Smartphones Making Us Stupid? This Will Surprise You!
If you use a smartphone you need to see this!
Is it REALLY the Coffee that Wakes Us Up in the Morning?
A recent study has revealed that the coffee you drink may just be a placebo...
Fascinating: What is the Deepest Hole Humanity Has Dug?
This video explains how low humanity has dug down so far.
Science Proves: These 10 Bible Stories Probably Did Happen
The Bible describes many seemingly supernatural cases, but today, science can show that they might have indeed happened.
STUDY: The Effect of Personality on Our Level of Happiness
Researchers finally know which types of people will always be happier than others.
Erecting a Behemoth: Installation of an Offshore Oilrig
How do they install an offshore oilrig? This video will show you, step by step, how it is done.
Experience the True Scale of Heavenly Bodies
Witness the true scale of planets, stars and galaxies in this incredible video that sheds light on size in our universe.
I Never Knew These Stunning Facts About Our Universe
If you thought you understood the universe, you'll be completely floored by this insane facts.
The Psychology Behind Why Some People Are Habitually Late
Now we finally know why some people are habitually late.
19 Everyday Items That Started as Military Inventions
Look around your home, and you’ll surely find a handful of these items that were originally developed for the armed forces.
These Inventions Prove the Middle Ages Were Not So “Dark”
These groundbreaking inventions prove the Middle Ages were not so “dark,” after all!
24 Smart Storage Inventions You Didn't Know You Needed
These super useful inventions are designed to make you help space!
You Wouldn't Believe How Far Technology Has Come
Take a look at the advancements of technology in this video. Impressive.
How Can You Recognize a Fake Gadget Before Buying It?
More often than not, you're almost unable to recognize them. So, before purchasing the product you want to have, bear in mind the following tips:
WHY is Sugar So Devilishy Addictive?
There seems to be a fascinating scientific explanation for why our will power is weak when it comes to sugar!
6 Signs That Someone is Listening on Your Cellphone Calls!
With technology advancing all the time, there is the ever-increasing chance of our phones being tapped. Here are 6 signs that your phone could be tapped.
17 Incredible Eye Facts You Have To See To Believe
They say the eyes are the window to the soul, and they also happen to be our windows to the world. Here are 17 insanely fascinating facts about eyes.
Wonder Why Time Speeds Up As You Age? Here's the Answer
We all get the sensation that time moves faster as we get older, but there are scientific reasons for that. Read on to learn about this fascinating phenomenon.
Here Are the 16 Oldest Household Objects in the World
If you think ancient life is remote, these pre-historic household items will make you think again. Just look at how old they are!
NASA's Plan to Colonize the Moon by 2026
NASA has a Moon colonization plan that involves utilizing 3D printers to construct an entire space station by 2026. Here's what it will look like.
7 Exciting Physics Tricks You Have to See!
Watch these seven remarkable physics tricks in this exciting and fun video.
Scientists Develop 'Flying Dragon' Robot to Fight Fires
Scientists in Japan have created a water-spitting 'flying dragon' robot to fight fires.
These Optical Illusions Will Shock Your Mind!
Optical illusions create miscommunication between our eyes and brain making, us see things that are not really there or not see things that are right in front of us. See for yourself.
6 Weird and Creepy Medical Tools of the Past
After seeing these weird and creepy medical devices of the past, you’ll be thankful you live in the 21st century. Take a look for yourself.
How Do the Drugs We Take Affect Our Brain?
We take many pills these days. What is it exactly that they DO to our brain? Find out now.
This Incredible Documentary Takes You Into the Human Body
A beautiful and graphically advanced animation sheds light on the mysteries of the human body.
9 Women Inventors Who Have Been Overlooked by History
History has overlooked many great women inventors. Here’s your chance to get to know a few of them.
14 of the Most Fascinating Specialized Tools You'll See
We bet you haven’t seen these unique tools before!
Sci Fi Tech: Jetpack Rescue!
Paramedics in Britain are being trained to conduct mountain or sea rescues using jet suits. Find out more.
This Humanoid Robot May Join the Workforce Very Soon...
Meet Digit – a bipedal robot that's ready to join human workers at warehouses around the world as early as 2024.
The Channel Tunnel - The 7th Wonder of the Modern World!
The construction of the Channel Tunnel is said to be an impossible feat!