Releaf Paper, HUID, and South Dakota State University Utilize Alternative Materials for Packaging

Part of our larger Packaging Innovation Dashboard.

Releaf Paper x Uber Eats | Bags Made from Fallen Leaves

Photo from Packaging Europe

Releaf Paper is a Ukraine-based startup founded by Alexander Sobolenko bringing paper-based packaging solutions made from fallen leaves to the market.

A Packaging Gateway article reported that Releaf Paper partnered with Uber Eats in France to use bags made from fallen leaves for food delivery orders. The partnership was revealed at an Uber Go Get Zero event in London in early October—the collaboration with Releaf Paper falls under the Paris Innovation Pilot, backed by $1 million USD in investments by Uber to help Parisian restaurants transition to sustainable packaging alternatives.

Alexander Sobolenko, Releaf’s CEO, stated:

“By using fibers from fallen leaves, collected by public utilities in urban areas, we transform waste into eco-friendly materials that are both beautiful and functional. This innovative approach reduces deforestation and carbon emissions, contributing to a more sustainable future. We hope that announcement at Uber’s Go Get Zero event is just the beginning.”

Learn more about the partnership and Releaf Paper here.

Story from Packaging Gateway

HUID | Packaging from Onion Skin Waste

Photo from HUID

Did you know that packaging can be made from onion waste?

Renuka Ramanujam and HUID are doing just that—developing eco-friendly packaging solutions made from onion skins sourced from farmers and other waste streams.

HUID, based in Oban, Scotland, has been supported by the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland for several years. The company is developing onion-based paper and flexible films and is preparing to launch its first product in 2025.

On top of the sustainability benefits, BBC notes that onion skins have antimicrobial properties and are projected to help extend the shelf life for perishable goods / foods.

Read more on onion skin packaging and HUID here. 

Story from BBC

South Dakota State University | Bioplastic from Switchgrass

Did you know that switchgrass can be turned into bioplastic films?

Srinivas Janaswamy, PhD, Associate Professor of Food Chemistry at South Dakota State University, has been researching bioplastics heavily in his SDSU lab over the last few years, producing biodegradable films from upcycled agricultural byproducts like avocado peels, coffee grounds, and switchgrass—a native prairie grass in South Dakota.

Why switchgrass? The grass is native to the US, grows in numerous climates, and contains about 58% lignocellulosic material, making it prime for bioplastic production. 

Janaswamy’s lab created switchgrass bioplastic films that are biodegradable in 40 days, have high tensile strength, and low “water vapor permeability.”

Read more on Janaswamy and South Dakota State University’s work to advance bioplastic production here. 

Story from South Dakota State University

Learn More about Alternative Materials in Packaging

All materials—including innovative bio-based materials—have trade-offs. Navigating those trade-offs to create the most sustainable packaging system possible is one of the greatest challenges facing packaging engineers, sustainability teams, and other packaging professionals.

That's why we created the Certificate of Sustainable Packaging (CSP)—a program designed to immerse you in the world of sustainable packaging. The curriculum also includes a hands-on module where you'll learn how to conduct a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of a provided packaging system.

Learn more about the CSP here.