Ocean degradable and home compostable flexible packaging materials made from agricultural waste

The increasing amount of synthetic plastic waste is a huge problem that could potentially be solved with bioplastics. Despite increasing efforts to recycle, approximately 53% of waste in the US is still sent to landfill and plastic waste makes up about 19% of that. People are becoming more aware of the damage that plastic waste can cause to the environment, it is still extremely prevalent in daily lives, from packaging to clothing. The plastic used for food and beverage packaging makes up 2/3 of the world’s plastic waste. Flexible packaging is a growing segment of the world’s packaging market. The world produces 78 million tons of flexible packaging film every year. Even though the volume of flexible packaging is smaller by weight and space, most flexible packaging cannot be practically recycled. Flexible packaging isn’t made of pure plastic polymers but rather made by blending several materials. These blended materials make flexible packaging complicated for separation and recycling.

Unlike current alternatives to microplastics, which are based on plant polysaccharides, such as cellulose and algae, Mi Terro’s plant protein materials do not rely on chemical cross-linking for their performance. This enables them to decompose quickly and completely in the natural environment. Our proprietary technology re-engineers agricultural waste into plastic-alternative packaging material. Our packaging film is 3-4 times cheaper than other bio-based materials (PLA, PHA, PBAT), is at a similar price as LDPE film, home compostable, ocean degradable, heat sealable, excellent water and oxygen barrier, low thickness, and potentially edible. Our technology can potentially apply to any type of agricultural byproducts and surplus food, including plant, dairy, and vitamin supplement byproducts. Our process uses less energy than paper and plastic production while creating 90% less CO2 than plastic. Our material accommodates a diverse range of fully compostable packaging applications for fresh produce, dry food, fashion, and standard product packaging.

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative

Selective agricultural waste and food waste at commercial buildings, schools, grocery stores, and home can be upcycled and processed into plastic-alternative materials. We will create hundreds of jobs to underrepresented communities.

We measure success by the amount of agricultural waste we upcycle and plastic film we replace. In addition, we measure our success by the number of employees we hire. 2022: we will start manufacturing at a small scale, which equals 10,000+ rolls of films. 2023: we will start manufacturing at a semi-commercial scale, which equals 200,000+ rolls of films. 2024: we start manufacturing at a commercial scale, which equals 1,000,000+ rolls of films.