This Milk-Based Film Could Replace Plastic Packaging

Bonnaillie explained that casein, a milk protein abundant in the U.S. due to excess milk production, is already used in substances such as glue and even plastic itself. According to the American Chemical Society, casein is actually 500 times better than plastic at keeping oxygen from getting to packaged food.

“Everything is in smaller and smaller packaging [nowadays], which is great for grabbing for lunch, for school, but then it generates so much waste,” said Bonnaillie. “Edible packaging can be great for [providing an alternative to] that.”