Let’s face it, cleaning up after a meal would be a lot easier if you could just eat the wrappers. Well, that day is drawing near, and it will benefit the planet as much as it helps the lazy.
Much of our food comes wrapped in thin plastic packaging, which creates garbage and doesn’t even do a great job of preventing spoilage. To fix this, scientists at the U.S. Department of Agriculture have developed a biodegradable film from milk proteins that can be used to wrap food and, once you’re done with it, you can eat it. It’s also biodegradable, so it will go away even if you’re full.
Even if it weren’t edible, it would still be a big step forward for food. Researchers say it’s way more effective than plastic at keeping oxygen away from food, since the proteins form a tighter network when they polymerize. It’s particularly effective at protecting foods that are sensitive to light.
For more information on packaging’s filling future, click here or watch the video below.
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