Biodegradable bottle contains environmental solution

By Alexandra Latremouille

 

Two professors at the University of Windsor said a new edible, biodegradable water bottle could eventually replace plastic water bottles.

The product, named Ooho, was developed in 2014 by Imperial College London students Rodrigo Gonzalez, Pierre Paslier and Guillaume Couche. Rather than containing water in plastic, Ooho holds water in a membrane made from calcium chloride and brown algae extract. The material is safe for human consumption and is comparable to the juice-filled pearls in bubble tea.

Ooho’s eco-friendly design causes it to be more appealing to consumers than standard water bottles, according to a marketing professor at the Odette School of Business.

“There is a move where people want something that is more environmentally friendly,” said David Bussiere, assistant vice-president at the campus. “The fact that something is not going the recycling route but is actually able to degenerate on its own would probably be seen as higher-up on a green scale, and therefore more favourable.”

Ooho is currently not being sold, because, according to Gonzalez, food and beverage corporations have not adopted it. However, its recipe has been posted online.

Another professor at the university said Ooho will likely become more popular than plastic water bottles because its materials are less expensive.

“I could see them replacing standard water bottles for a number of reasons,” said Paul Henshaw, an engineering professor. “The main thing is that the material that makes up the non- biodegradable water bottle, which is essentially petroleum, could become more expensive down the road. Petroleum prices are down right now but that’s probably only for the short-term.”

However, some things hinder the product’s success. For example, one of the substances used to create its membrane, brown algae extract, is not available in many Canadian stores. Other obstacles include the bottles not being resealable and people generally not being interested in creating Ooho themselves.

Regardless, Ooho could renew interest in the bottled water industry which has been subject to criticism due to concerns about resource wastage, according to Henshaw. Some post-secondary facilities and cities, such as the University of Vermont and San Francsico, have banned them for this reason.

“If Ooho can change public perception around, I don’t think it’s such a bad thing,” said Henshaw.