Almost all food is packaged, creating a lot of waste. But what if that packaging was edible?

Eat your package

Edible packaging could reduce waste and improve food storability

Scientists are developing an edible form of packaging which they hope will preserve food more effectively and more sustainably than plastic film, helping to cut both food and plastic waste. The packaging film is made of a milk protein called casein, scientists from the U.S. Department of Agriculture said at a meeting of the American

grain bags on a farm

Pilot program for recycling ag plastic kicks off this month

Farmers use more plastic than ever as a lower-cost method of storing grain and feed, but increased use means more plastic waste in the environment

Hay is wrapped in it. Grain is stored in it. Twine holds it together. Plastic saves farmers time and money by reducing their storage costs, but the increasing amount used raises the question — what to do with it after you’ve used it? Municipalities don’t want large volumes of discarded agricultural plastic taking up space


Questions For Reena – for Aug. 5, 2010

Hi Reena, I read your column in our paper and quite enjoy it. I bought an artificial plant, with grass-like plumes a few months ago. This plant has a very strange and disgusting odour. I didn’t notice it at first but some days it is quite unbearable. Is there anything I can do to get

One More Recycling Idea

We all know about the benefits of reusable shopping bags, using refillable water bottles and using washable plastic containers for lunches rather than throw-away sandwich bags. At craft fairs I’ve even seen beautiful jewelry items and wind chimes made from old sterling silver cutlery. Good ideas, all of them. Garage sales are another great way

Creating A New Generation Of Smart Materials

Some things are not meant to last forever. This includes biodegradable plastic products made from Solanyl. Solanyl Biopolymers Inc., based in Carberry, Man., manufactures starch-based biodegradable polymers that are used to create new and innovative environmentally friendly products. The company was established in 2005 by potato farmers Derek and Earl McLaren, who wanted to further


Reduce, reuse and recycle

Let’s face it, we all produce garbage, and we are all part of the problem. The good news is that we can also be part of the solution. Studies show that 65 per cent of “garbage” can be recycled or composted instead of tossed. Instead of throwing away items we no longer need, why not