Climate-conscious burger joints for diners on the go have long faced a conundrum.
The paper that they wrap their meals’ main courses in has to be grease-resistant so that the hamburger (or in some cases, chicken sandwich) makes it home with minimal wear and tear from the ride and the time it takes for the drive.
But grease-resistant paper is terrible for the environment once it gets sent to its inevitable final resting place in a landfill.
To that end, a research team at Australia’s Flinders University believes they might have the answer, and it involves a key ingredient you might not expect: seaweed.
Scientists on the project say a next-generation biopolymer material made of seaweed extract could be the solution they’ve been looking for.
Certain types of seaweed extract are adept at keeping food from sticking to the paper, and yet they are also environment-friendly.
Sustainable seaweed-based packaging is already planned for rollout by 2025 by Restaurant Brands International, the corporate parent of franchises like Burger King and Popeyes.
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