BEYONDPLASTIC, a global initiative dedicated to reducing the use of single-use plastic products, has announced the winners of the 2020 BEYONDPLASTIC AWARD for sustainable design.

The BEYONDPLASTIC AWARD – which recognises eco-responsible products and solutions and transforms single-use plastic products into solutions made of environmentally sound materials – looked at innovation and creativity in sustainable design in four categories: most practical impact to reduce the use of plastics; most innovative approach; most beautiful solution; and best initiative in education/journalism/campaigning.

Among the winners are Coolpaste, a sustainable packaging design for toothpaste, which won the Silver Award in the category for “most practical impact to reduce the use of plastics”. Coolpaste uses impermeable cardboard – similar to the material used by the food industry – as a packaging solution for toothpaste. The cap of the tube is also biodegradable, made from Polylactide (PLA), a bioplastic derived from renewable resources, such as corn starch, tapioca roots, starch, or sugarcane.

Coolpaste, designed by Brazil-based Allan Gomes, would solve logistical and environmental issues for global toothpaste brands if implemented.

In the “most innovative approach” category, Waterbased’s Gold Award-winning deisgn came up with a biodegradable, carbon-negative storage bag made from a polymer similar to the material used to coat dishwasher/laundry tablets, that dissolves in boiling water.

The water-disolvable Item Bag 2.0, which can be used by fashion brands to post clothing to customers, contains mineralised biomass and non-toxic ink that can be directly poured down the sink.

The UK-based designer of the Item Bag 2.0, Jack Cleary said: “The best part is that the bag is effectively carbon-negative: we offset 200% of the carbon footprint of each bag, so each one is drawing CO2 out of our atmosphere instead of adding to it. What makes us most excited is that will be easily accessible to small and medium-sized brands who wish to start implementing this technology right now!”

Elsewhere, Material Designer Paula Nerlich is developing a bioplastic based on aquafaba from chickpeas as part
of her research into circular, compostable biomaterials. Her innovation was awarded “most beautiful solution”.

The aquafaba material, which is currently under development, shows great potential for mechanical
manufacturing and thus for industrial production. The biomaterial varies in colour from cream white to
pink and changes its colour over time. However, it can be dyed with natural or food colours.

BEYONDPLASTIC was launched last year by Ulrich Krzyminski, an entrepreneur, engineer and inventor, with the aim to be an independent online platform for environmentalists, packaging designers and engineers, and companies to present and exchange ideas, concepts and products of eco-responsible solutions replacing plastic packages.

BEYONDPLASTIC

Rosa Medea is Life & Soul Magazine’s Chief. She writes about lifestyle including sustainable and green living.