More than half of Gen Z consumers influenced by packaging sustainability, according to new research
New research from the packaging manufacturer and consultancy Duo suggests that 56% of so-called Gen Z consumers – generally considered to be in the 10-25 age range, at present – are less likely to buy from a retailer again if their e-commerce packaging isn’t sustainable or resourceful.
WASTE2FUNC’s logistics platform will collect and convert food waste into bioplastics
The Bio Based Industries Consortium Joint Undertaking (BBI-JU – Brussels, Belgium) has given WASTE2FUNC a EUR 6.7 million investment to design a logistics platform that collects food waste and converts it into bioplastics and biosurfactants. Food waste generated across the food industry is simply either discarded or incinerated if it falls below existing standards – meaning it can’t be sold. Waste2Func’s logistics platform will target these waste streams to reduce CO2 emissions and use the functional molecules within food waste to act as “building blocks” for bioplastics and ingredients to be used in a host of beneficial applications like personal care, household, and cosmetic products.
Bio-Based Products from Mediterranean Seaweeds: Italian Opportunities and Challenges for a Sustainable Blue Economy
Seaweeds are attracting increasing attention as an alternative healthy food and renewable drugs source and as agents of climate change mitigation that provide essential ecosystem services. In this context, seaweeds represent marine resources capable of supporting and pursuing the objectives of the Sustainable Blue Economy and the Bio-Based Circular Economy. In this review, we analyze the state of seaweed bio-based products and research on the Mediterranean Sea from the last 20 years. Results of this analysis show a large number of investigations focusing on antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities compared to on biofuels and bioplastics. Attempts at seaweed farming, although generally very limited, are present in Israel and some North African countries. Lastly, we focus on the Italian situation—including research, companies and legislation on seaweed production—and we discuss gaps, perspectives and challenges for the potential development of a sustainable seaweed industry according to the Sustainable Blue Economy.