Imagine being able to drink your water and then, when you’re done, eat the thing that it came in.
Of course this is pretty out of reach with the bottles we have now. However, this could be a reality sooner than we think with “water you can eat” from Skipping Rocks Lab. This new innovation will make hydration on the go a breeze, and saving the planet even easier.
About Skipping Rocks Lab
Skipping Rocks Lab is an innovative and sustainable start-up based in London. The team are using natural materials extracted from plants and seaweed to create packaging that not only has a low environmental impact, but could change the world as we know it completely.
Ooho! A Completely Biodegradable Water “Bottle”
Being able to replace all of the plastic bottles in the world with something more environmentally friendly is a huge step in the direction we should be going for the planet.
Skipping Rocks Lab has been working on Ooho!, a completely biodegradable water “bottle” (more like a blob) that means plastic packaging will no longer be needed once it has been adopted by companies. The blob is made from seaweed and calcium chloride-based membrane that is safe for human consumption.
Looking a little like a silicone implant, if you need more of an idea, the blob could be considered an edible water balloon. All you need to do is pierce the blob when you need some rehydration and drink away. You don’t have to eat the “packaging” when you’re done drinking, but this surely shows just how natural it is compared to what is available today.
The product is set to revolutionise the water on the go market. The packaging isn’t only great for water, but for spirits, cosmetics, soft drinks, and more. The blob can even be flavoured and coloured. On top of this, it’s much cheaper than plastic to produce. The only concern is how the blob will be brought to market while being kept clean.
The rate at which we are consuming non-renewable resources, e.g. single use bottles, is unbelievably unsustainable. Ooho! will provide convenience, while limiting the environmental impact.
Here’s a quick run down of Ooho!:
● It is 100% made of Plants & Seaweed
● Biodegradable in 4-6 weeks, just like a piece of fruit
● Edible, can be flavoured and coloured
● Fresh (shelf life of a few days)
● 5x less CO₂, 9x less Energy vs PET
● Cheaper to create than plastic
How Are Ooho! Blobs Created?
Spheres of ice are treated with a liquid form of the seaweed-derived membrane. When the membrane solidifies and the water melts, a portable, eco-friendly serving of packaged water remains. Each blob costs just 1p to make.
Ooho! stands to be a good replacement packaging option that would be widely applicable across many different products. The potential for reduction in other types of packaging is very high, and could mean amazing things for our seas, landfills, wildlife, and the environment as a whole.