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
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.
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.
15 Awesome Inventions All Lazybones Would Love!
Feeling lazy? Check out some of these awesome inventions that may just be the perfect thing for you.
The Purple Hue That Changed the World
In 1856, a chemistry student accidentally created a strange substance with a rich purple color. In just a few years, his creation changed the world...
Will this Water Bubble Replace Plastic Bottles?
Every year, 35 billion plastic water bottles are thrown away in the US. These take hundreds of years to decompose. The Ooho is the answer to this problem!
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
Do You Know What Alzheimer's Really Is?
This video will shed light on the different stages of this complex and incredibly destructive disease.
This Is Why You Should Choose Paper Towels Over Air Dryers
Jet air dryers seem to provide a rapid solution to drying our hands in public restrooms, but they're actually havens for bacteria. Take a look.
Remembering the Life and Wisdom of Stephen Hawking
Stephen Hawking possessed one of the greatest minds the world has ever seen, but was also impaired by a debilitating disease. Here are his life ant times.
20 Useful Facts About the Science of Cooking
The science behind cooking is not often thought of, but it plays a crucial role in a dish turning out right. Here are 20 facts on the science of cooking.
Are You a Late Sleeper? This Super Video Explains Why
Why is it that some people are late risers, and some are morning people? It's all down to our genetics. Have a look here to find out more.
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.
The Disappearing Computer: Revolution on a Personal Scale
What happens when we lose the physical large computer all together? This lecture explains what ahead for computers.
You Wouldn't Believe How Far Technology Has Come
Take a look at the advancements of technology in this video. Impressive.
2023 in Science: Biggest Discoveries You Missed!
Let’s take a look at the most amazing scientific discoveries that made news this year.
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.
9 UNBELIEVABLE Ice Science Tricks That'l Amaze You
Prepare to be amazed as ice takes center stage in these mind-boggling and unconventional science experiments.
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.
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.
Sleep Inventions: 16 Gadgets to Help You Doze Off
If you frequently struggle with sleep, then trying these amazing new sleep innovations could help change your life.
GUIDE: How Alcohol Affects Us, Drink by Drink...
In this article, we're going to discuss the exact amounts of alcohol in our blood and what they look like, including how each level affects us and our ability to function.
Fascinating: What is the Deepest Hole Humanity Has Dug?
This video explains how low humanity has dug down so far.
Six Inventions Da-Vinci Made Ahead of Their Time
He created and envisioned many inventions that were sometimes even centuries ahead of their time. Was there ever a genius as great as Da-Vinci?
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!
26 Incredible Facts About the Human Mind
The human brain is an interesting and powerful organ, which is why we've gathered 26 interesting facts about exactly how human psychology works.
24 Confusing Optical Illusions Explained - Fascinating!
How do our eyes fool the brain? Let's find out as a neuroscientist explains the truth behind the most confusing optical illusions.
5 Robotics Trends Anticipated in 2024
What does 2024 have in store for the field of robotics?
These Shoes Can Boost Your Walking Speed by 250%!
Robotic engineers have created shoes that, they claim, will increase your speed by 250%.
Incredible: First-Ever Complete Map of an Insect's Brain
This incredible project is the first to completely map the brain of an insect, a monumental undertaking even for such a small creature.
This South African Plant May be the New Cannabis
Is this plant the new cannabis? What will the woolly umbrella plant do for medicine?
The Surprisingly Convoluted History of Traffic Lights
What did the first-ever traffic light look like? Probably stranger than you imagine...
Chocolate Exposed! Here's What It Does to Your Brain!
Just what is it that makes chocolate so irresistible to so many people around the world? Find all of the answers in the article.
10 Real-Life Technologies That Science Fiction Foretold
Sometimes even the wildest science-fiction predictions about the future come true.
11 Technologies to Potentially Achieving Immortality
Scientists are hard at work developing technologies that could extend our lifespans and even make us immortal. Here are 11 of them.
50 Crazy But True Facts About Dreams You Need to Know
Here are some strange and unusual facts about dreams that will surprise you.
These Photos Show How Dependent We are On Smartphones
Technology has taken over and these funny (but true) photos help to drive this fact home.
The Curious Science of Tricking Your Taste Buds
Did you know you could confuse your sense of taste? Find out how!
The COOLEST Flames in the World - Jaw-Dropping!
Have you ever seen a flame as epic as this? Find out how it's made...
15 Frightening Animals Early Humans Had to Live With
10 scary animals early cavemen in Africa had to deal with 200,000 years ago.
10 Incredible Animal-Inspired Robots
Let's meet some incredibly realistic robotic animals.
Welcome to the Fastest Maze-Solving Competition Ever Made...
Welcome to Micromouse, a competition for the quick of eyes and the quick of minds. This is the oldest robotics race.
12 Earliest Versions of Tech Inventions We Use Every Day
Witness the evolution of 11 popular devices we use all the time by looking at how they all started...
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…
You Won't Believe That These Things Exist in Japan...
If there's one place on this planet that well and truly at the forefront of modern technology, it has got to be Japan, as these inventions prove...
3 Surefire Ways to Always Identify Pseudoscience
Find out how you can identify pseudoscience, and learn how it differs from actual science.
This Visual Shows the Science Behind the Shape of Rivers
A fascinating visual model that explains why and how rivers change their course.
19 Things to AVOID to Make Your Phone Live Longer
19 common mistakes we all make, that make our phones age quicker.