January
06
/ 2026
An innovative form of biodegradable packaging made from seaweed is gaining real-world traction as companies and venues seek alternatives to single-use plastic waste. The technology, developed by UK-based startup Notpla, is designed to replicate the convenience of traditional plastic while naturally breaking down in weeks once disposed of, offering a potential solution to the global plastics crisis.
Founded by Rodrigo García González and Pierre-Yves Paslier, Notpla (short for “not plastic”) emerged from experiments at Imperial College London and garnered global attention after winning the Earthshot Prize in 2022, an environmental award backed by Prince William that included £1 million in funding.