Ready-made meals like ramen noodles are ideal for quickly satisfying hunger: Open the bag, stir – done! However, the quick snacks produce a lot of environmentally harmful plastic waste. To tackle this problem, the student team EDGGY from the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart rolled up its sleeves and developed edible packaging made from eggshells and other plant-based raw materials. And even better: they simply dissolve in the hot water and can be eaten as an additional protein boost. For this sustainable and innovative idea, the five students received the prize for the most innovative idea at the EIT Food Reuse2Repack Challenge and prize money of EUR 1,200. Video about product & winning team.When it’s dry, the 4 x 2 centimeter bag looks like normal plastic. But just a little hot water is enough, and within seconds there is nothing left of it.

No plastic waste that’s harmful to the environment when snacking. “By using proteins, our packaging is even really healthy!” stated Lina Obeidat, who is studying for a Master’s degree in Food Science at the University of Hohenheim.

Obeidat had the brilliant idea while cooking with her mother: "We had cracked eggs for our dish. The moment I was about to throw the shells away, the idea ran through my mind: What protects the egg should also be suitable as packaging, shouldn’t it?”