The Chile Adventist University has developed a sustainability initiative aimed at reducing agricultural waste and plastic use through the creation of compostable food packaging.

The Ñuble Ecopacks project focuses on producing biodegradable packaging made from biomaterials that help preserve fresh food, particularly berries, while extending shelf life and reducing environmental impact.

From agricultural waste to a sustainable solution

The project originated from the challenge of managing large volumes of grape stems generated by the wine industry. According to project director Dr. Marcela Jarpa Parra, much of this waste is either mixed into soil or burned, contributing to environmental pollution.

In response, researchers developed a biomaterial that repurposes grape stems into secondary packaging designed to protect fresh produce.

Better food preservation

The material incorporates antimicrobial properties that help maintain fruit quality and reduce spoilage. Storage tests demonstrated that berries could be preserved for more than 14 days without significant changes in texture or color, while also preventing mold growth.

Further observations indicated that even after extended periods, the material continued to limit the presence of fungi.

Compostable packaging with no negative impact

Unlike conventional plastics, the biomaterial is completely compostable and does not generate toxic waste or microplastics.

"In this way we are managing to introduce a material that will completely replace the plastics used in the berry industry," Dr. Jarpa points out.

Furthermore, during its degradation, the material integrates into the soil without affecting microorganisms, thereby contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable production cycle.

Innovation with regional support

The project is supported by the Ñuble Regional Government through the Regional Competitiveness Innovation Fund (FIC-R), enabling researchers to scale development and validate results.

Leaders said the collaboration between academia and public institutions has helped transform agricultural waste into a practical solution for the food industry while supporting sustainable development.

Impact on the circular economy

Organizers noted that Ñuble Ecopacks reflects a broader effort to promote circular economy practices by converting waste into valuable resources.

The initiative aims to reduce environmental impact while improving food preservation and supporting more sustainable production systems.

The original article was published on the South American Division Spanish news site.