Recycling is a subject that we all need to consider. We are often forced to choose specific packaging by manufacturers or leaders in the industry, and sometimes we don’t have a choice.
The food industry is a great example, but you can recycle goods from any other industry to reduce waste and conserve resources.
What if we started to take more responsibility for the long-term sustainability of our products and services at the beginning rather than at the end of the production chain, additional info?
These are some simple ways to make it easy for businesses to become more “environmentally friendly”.
1. Water Filtered Using Fruit Peels
Mexican researchers found a way of filtering heavy metals as well as other pollutants out of water, using a material that is almost exclusively made up from citrus peels.
The good news is that there’s no shortage. According to estimates, the global food industry creates 38.2million tons of fruit waste each year.
This material is manufactured using Instant Controlled Pressure Drop. Then it’s packed into fixed bed column.
The researchers concluded that “the results showed a high potential of using said materials to adsorb and recover metals found in wastewater. It could also be done in sustainable ways, whereby products with great commercial value can be made from residues from the food industries.”
– Researcher Luis Alberto Romero Cano
2. More Fresh Food with Biodegradable Containers
Food packaging that is composed of composites made out of plant material or cellulose, which are then coated with active components, such as anti-oxidants and anti-microbials.
Plastic polymers can be used as an alternative (as opposed to the plastic disposable containers).
According to research, clove ethereal essential oil is best for fighting free radicals. It also helps fight oxidation.
Here’s when silver can help. Adding silver particles to the material not only makes it antimicrobial but stronger and more elastic.
Two years is the average time it takes for non-toxic materials to decay.
The most difficult part is to create heat-tolerant, natural packaging.
Even though it is possible to produce something that decomposes after some time, but can still withstand a microwave oven or an over-heated oven, there are many challenges. It’s not possible to use cellulose for this purpose.
Similar products already exist on the marketplace. The popularity of compostable water bottles or those that are edible is increasing. Some are appealing while others don’t.