Seaweed as a plastic alternative? Yes, it's possible!
05 April 2024
Last year Danish technology students on a cultural study tour at Kingscliff TAFE in collaboration with the Aalborg Technical College in Denmark, enjoyed a range of learning programs while experiencing Australian culture and lifestyles. In their Technology Unit, the students worked on options to replace single-use petroleum-based soft plastics with seaweed bioplastic.
The students looked into the use of seaweed in applications such as nutraceuticals and foods, animal feed, bioremediation, aquaculture biofuel and bioplastic. Bioplastic in particular has become a priority for many industries as an alternative to petroleum-based plastic.
Reducing plastic use and plastic pollution is an urgent matter. Plastic makes up approximately 80% of global marine debris, equivalent to around 14 million tonnes of plastic entering oceans every year, posing threats to marine life through illness, injury and death from plastic ingestion or entanglement (IUCN 2021).
Seaweed produced in regenerative aquaculture has a range of benefits: its production does not use arable land (land used to grow crops) and there is no need for freshwater, fertiliser, pesticides or herbicides. Seaweed bioplastics are also readily biodegradable and compostable.
Students examined the potential role for seaweed bioplastics by designing and making a range of products including disposable gloves, plastic film, laminating pouches and a range of food packaging such as food wraps for sushi, sandwiches and sweets.
One of the groups created their own version of water bubbles, a type of edible capsule made from seaweed plastic that contains drinking water, used to replace water bottles in events like marathons.
The TAFE students observed that even though bioplastics can be a better alternative to petroleum-based plastic, further investigation is needed to determine and test bioplastic’s suitability. The students highlighted the need to shift best practice and behaviours towards choices that have the least environmental impact, such as reusable water bottles, cutlery and metal straws.
The students linked their project with some of the United Nations 2023 Sustainable Development Goals; Climate Action (goal 13), Life below Water (goal 14), and Life on Land (goal 15).
TAFE course coordinator Aaron Carle and teacher Isabela Keski-Frantti, passionate ambassadors of marine life and youth education, were delighted to see the students embrace solutions-driven science initiatives.
“Our students have done presentations on a range of seaweed applications, and have made seaweed bioplastic, designed and created an end product to substitute petroleum-based single-use soft plastic items. It's been great!” Isabela said.
The students were also happy with the learning outcomes.
“I will take my knowledge about the benefits of seaweed with me in other situations surrounding the climate change and the environment generally,” student E.A said.
Tweed Shire Council’s Climate Change and Sustainability Program Leader Debbie Firestone praised the initiative from the TAFE students.
“It’s great to hear about sustainability initiatives being explored throughout the Tweed community. Every action and new idea that each of us explores counts,” Ms Firestone said.
Tweed Shire Council is committed to working together with the community to reduce our impact on the natural environment and adapt to climate change for a sustainable future. Sharing success stories of others in the community helps to inspire others about what's possible. Well done TAFE and students!
Find out more about climate and sustainability in the Tweed.
Image top: The students created their own version of seaweed bioplastic ‘water bubbles’, a type of edible capsule made from seaweed plastic that contains drinking water and has been used to replace water bottles at events like marathons.
Image bottom: Danish students visiting Kingscliff TAFE researched seaweed bioplastics as a response to plastic pollution which affects global marine life.
