Nose to Tail Packaging.

A few years ago, we developed a concept called “Soupa Soup” that already offers a glimpse of where bioplastics might be headed. The project, in collaboration with Notpla, shows how zero-waste packaging will become a reality the day after tomorrow.

The pioneers of edible plastics rely on completely natural organic raw materials. The British startup Notpla uses brown algae and marine plants to produce membranes that securely enclose liquid contents such as sauces, drinks, or oils. These dissolve completely in the mouth or in hot water, leaving no trace, or break down in nature within a few weeks, just like a piece of fruit. The Israeli design initiative NakedPak went one step further and developed edible bowls and wraps made from agar-agar and food scraps for dry foods like porridge. As soon as the product is cooked, the packaging melts and becomes part of the meal itself—without affecting the taste or creating any waste.

By 2026, it will already be clear that these innovations have made the leap from the lab to major events and the foodservice industry. Whether at marathon events, where runners swallow water bubbles directly, or at fast-food chains that hand out seaweed-based mayo packets: Acceptance is growing rapidly because the material doesn’t require cumbersome recycling processes. The strongest argument remains the prevention of microplastics and single-use waste at the source.

If we look a few years ahead, the true potential for transformation becomes clear: We walk into a supermarket in 2030. The shelf with instant meals no longer contains any plastic bags. Anyone buying lentil soup places a dried meal—encased in a transparent herb-agar membrane—directly into their shopping cart. At home, the entire package is cooked in a pot; the membrane melts and simultaneously serves as a natural seasoning. With food delivery services, the salad dressing comes in a small, edible algae capsule, and during outdoor activities, energy bar packaging no longer leaves behind any trash: if it isn’t eaten, it dissolves without releasing any pollutants the next time it rains. Edible packaging has replaced plastic as the ecological gold standard in short-term applications. Mass events, catering, or takeout meals would no longer be considered an “environmental sin,” but would instead become part of the biological cycle.