The global production of plastic increased from 2.3 million tons in the 50s, to 448 million in 2015, half of which is concentrated on Single-Use Plastic Products (SUPPs) related to packaging. Globally, more than a million plastic bottles are sold every minute. Each bottle requires up to 2,000 times the energy used to produce tap water. While the insufficient performance of recycling and waste management systems causes almost 32% of plastic packaging to leak into the world’s oceans every year, meaning that by 2050 there could be more plastic than fish in our waters. The estimated annual ecosystem service damage of plastic pollution is $13 billion.

Bioplastics have recently gained attention as a possible solution to replace different widely used polymers. Ooho! proposes a new kind of biodegradable packaging made from seaweed as an alternative to plastic bottles made from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), but also to contain other consumable liquids like water, juices, and sauce sachets, as well as coating for lined cardboard for the food take-away industry. The product is a spherical container made from Notpla, a material combining seaweed and plants, easy and cheap to make, strong, hygienic, biodegradable, and is edible - designed to be eaten either during or after its use. If it isn’t, the the material will take 4-6 weeks to degrade.

From an idea to production, Ooho is now being used at one of the biggest year round sporting events, like the Virgin Money London Marathon. A commercial machine designed to produce the product quickly, in large quantities and with different and bigger shapes, is under development after the company received £850,000 via crowd-funding in a record 3 days to scale up.