Breaking the Plastic Habit. SymbioMatter is Shaping the Future of Sustainable Packaging

The Future of Packaging: How is Symbiomatter leading the way

In a world where the environmental challenges keep getting more complicated the packaging industry must take a firm stand. The materials as we know them – plastic like Styrofoam is one of the underlying causes of the struggles with sustainability. This option is durable and cost-effective, however, those benefits come with severe downsides – massive waste accumulation, pollution, and carbon footprint. It is well known that a large portion of those ends up in landfills or in our oceans and just a small fraction (According to the United Nations Environment Program, just around 9%) of it is recycled or degraded in the environment. With the growing awareness of the environmental damage that plastic materials bring, the demand for biodegradable packaging solutions is skyrocketing.

Breaking the Plastic Habit

At Symbiomatter, we believe that there is a better way. Our mission is to be a valuable part of the packaging industry by providing it with biodegradable alternatives of packaging insert – SymbioFoam. It not only meets the needs of the modern world but also protects our nature. With our invention, we are challenging the status quo and helping move towards a greener future.

The Problem with Conventional Packaging

Conventional materials used for packaging such as Styrofoam and plastics are a product produced from fossil fuels which are almost impossible to recycle leaving a significant trace in the environment. According to the MacArthur Foundation by 2050 in the oceans there could be more plastics than fish with the ongoing trends. The devastating impact on the environment from these materials is devastating. Plastic packaging solutions accumulate nearly half of all the plastic that pollutes the environment. The pollution is a fact as microplastics can be found everywhere even in the human blood. Researchers from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam have conducted a study, and it revealed that nearly 80% of the participants had plastic particles in their bloodstream. Moreover, the production and disposal of Styrofoam and plastics release major amounts of greenhouse gases which further contribute to global warming. As already mentioned before those materials are the usual go-to as they are very durable and cost-effective, however, it is no longer possible to ignore the hidden environmental costs that we are paying. Leading parties all around the globe are implementing stronger and stricter restrictions on single-use plastics. For example, the European Union has recently agreed to ban single-use plastic packaging for items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, mini hotel toiletries, and fast-food containers by 2030 as part of their new green packaging rules. Consumers are demanding more sustainable alternatives, and the packaging industry must adhere.

Where does SymbioMatter stay in this:

This is where Symbiomatter comes in. At SymbioMatter we are coming to provide and promote 100% biodegradable packaging solutions. We are eager to help from start-ups to major corporates companies to transition from conventional plastics to sustainable options. Our product is 100% biodegradable, and it offers all of the benefits of traditional packaging materials such as durability, strength, and protection without the hidden costs that our environment pays. Our biodegradable foam is designed to be a direct replacement for traditional materials in a variety of applications, including protective packaging for electronics, and insulation for all kinds of products. Looking optimistic in the future we hope to be able to further expand into cushioning for furniture.

Lisanne Peters: My Personal Commitment to Sustainability

To me, leading SymbioMatter is not just a professional endeavor – it is my personal mission. My passion and eagerness for sustainability have made me deeply committed to making an actual impact on our planet. In my opinion, businesses play the biggest role in sustainability and addressing environmental issues, and I want to set an example.

The goal behind Symbiomatter was simple: We want to create a sustainable alternative to traditional packaging without compromising its durability and effectiveness. I am proud to say that we have achieved this goal but this is just the beginning. The future lies in front of us and there are so many potential collaborations to explore further to scale the change we want to see.

The road ahead. What’s next for SymbioMatter?

We have big ideas at SymbioMatter. Currently exploring markets and building partnerships with parties that share the same commitment to the environment. Our ultimate vision is to create a world where sustainable packing is the norm, not the exception.

We are currently at a turning point. The packaging industry has a crucial role to play in the future. The choices made today will impact us for years to come and will have long lasting effects on us and our children and future generations. We, at SymbioMatter are coming to lead the way in innovative sustainable solutions. But we cannot do it alone.

We invite every business, consumer, or party with the same commitment to join us on our journey to make better, more sustainable choices and support the development of biodegradable materials. By working together, we can create a future packaging industry that not only satisfies present demands but also protects the environment for tomorrow.