Challenge 2: Packaging

We find plastic, glass, and cardboard containers around us every day. But are we aware of the impact of packaging on the environment? Each year, more than 300 million tons of plastic are produced, of which millions of tons of plastic waste leak into the seas. We have all seen images of beaches covered with packaging from all over the world. McKinsey’s Ocean Report states that the next 10 years will be critical for addressing the global problem of plastic leakage into the seas, but the production of plastic goods has not decreased, and that is why the use of unnecessary packaging must gradually be eliminated, which in turn may lead to an increase in the purchase of locally sourced products!

• Each Spaniard generates 471 kg of waste (garbage) per year, and only 26.7% of this is recycled.
• 56.7% of Spanish waste ends up in landfills, while 13.7% is incinerated.
• Between 21% and 54% of the world's microplastic particles are in the Mediterranean basin.
• The packaging sector consumes 40% of the plastics currently produced.

• Ecodesign.
• New biodegradable materials.
• 3Rs (recycle, reuse, reduce).
• In 2018, the European Parliament (EP) approved raising the percentage of municipal waste that must be recycled from 44% to 55% starting in 2025.
• Improvement, research, and technology in recycling and reuse processes.

FOUNDING TEAM: Oriol Segarra Pol

INNOVATION: Sustainable packaging for takeaway and delivery businesses.

WEBSITE: youbumerang.com

Bumerang is a startup that offers a reusable container service to takeaway and delivery businesses, thus avoiding the use of plastic or cardboard containers and generating more waste. Through the app, users can use Bumerang's reusable containers and access an incentives system where they can take advantage of benefits while enjoying the best food with restaurants in the Bumerang network and, in addition, helping the Planet. Once finished, the user returns their Bûmerang to any of the partners. They might be considered a tupperware-sharing system.

FOUNDING TEAM: Rodrigo García González and Pierre Paslier

INNOVATION: Packaging that behaves like plastic but degrades like fruit.

WEBSITE: notpla.com

Notpla, a startup that has created a food box that biodegrades and disappears as if by magic, because it is made from algae. Most paper-based products contain synthetic chemicals that act as water and oil repellents. Notpla has created greaseproof and water-resistant boxes that are 100% made from algae and plants, and they biodegrade naturally within weeks.