In the words immortalised by the Mission Impossible TV and Movie franchises - ‘this tape will self-destruct in 10 seconds’ – UK-based eGreen International has launched what they believe to be the world’s first truly self-destructing bio-based cup.
The VeriGreen Plus cup features a time-delayed bio-transformation feature that activates should it fail to find itself in the recycling stream, disintegrating within two years. While this feature remains dormant, the material - a polymer made from recycled cooking oil - behaves exactly like a conventional plastic. After the transformation is triggered, however, it breaks down into a powdery wax that will quickly biodegrade.
Caroline Wiggins, Chief Executive of eGreen, says “We know the world is moving towards fossil-fuel-free, carbon-free materials. At the moment, all plastics come from oil, but this material is made from recycled cooking oil that’s turned into a polymer, and then we include a technology that ensures if the product is left in the open air, it bio-transforms and returns to nature.”
This innovation has significant implications for the foodservice, catering, and live event sectors, and could be a watershed moment in the conversation around single use plastic. The cup also utilises a QR code design that consumers can scan to access useful information about disposing of the product, supporting public education initiatives in the process.
Wiggins continues: “We know that 80% of plastic that ends up in rivers and oceans comes from land. In the case of this VeriGreen Plus cup, if the product escapes the recycling stream, the self-destruct technology means it will bio-transform when exposed to heat, air, sunlight, and moisture, transforming it into a harmless wax. That’s particularly important in environments with large crowds and a low collection rate. It’s not an excuse for littering, but it provides a safety net.”
