The Challenge: Turning waste by the packaging industry into raw materials of inherent value

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The world has a consumption problem, which in turn creates a waste problem. In the previous century, the world population grew substantially. At the same time, the world was changed by urbanisation, industrialisation and increased levels of affluence.

Humans generate about 1.3 billion tonnes of waste per year, and this can lead to environmental tragedies like ocean plastic pollution and geopolitical tensions as Western countries seek new places to dispose of their waste. At the same time, 815 million people today live in a constant state of undernourishment and food insecurity, tragically contrasted with food waste amounting to 1.3 billion tonnes annually.

One third of all food produced – enough to feed two billion people - is lost or wasted every year due to spoilage, damage or waste.

This is turning food waste into one of the major contributors of world hunger and represents loss of around $1 trillion annually.

Waste from plastic-based packaging material is an increasing problem with negative impact on our environment, society, human health and the global economy.

Responsible consumption and production are key elements in finding a solution to these challenges, but hygiene standards, complex supply chains and industry practices mean we need to prioritise initiatives for a sustainable solutions.

About Genecis

Luna founded Genecis Bioindustries in 2017. Genecis Bioindustries make compostable plastics from food waste, by reprogramming bacteria, premium chemicals and materials become accessible.

Their first product line is PHA (Polyhydroxyalkanoates) - a high quality, biodegradable thermoplastic which can be used to make flexible packaging, coffee pods, 3D printing filaments and many more items.  

1 billion tonnes of organic waste are produced globally when in landfill. This food waste creates Methane, a greenhouse gas 30x more potent than CO2 whereas PHA Biodegradable plastics reduce 31.0t of co2 equivalent for every tonne of bioplastic produced.

Lead2030 will allow Luna and her team to find new applications for PHAs and will enable Genecis to scale the business and produce commercial volumes of PHAs bringing biodegradable plastics to many more consumers.