From the Series
Update: Fresh Paper has been awarded an INDEX: Award 2013 in the Home category.
Spoilage and the resultant waste are two key concerns in the global food crisis. It’s estimated that some 25% of the world’s food supply is lost to spoilage.
A simple innovation developed by Massachusetts-based company Fenugreen seeks to address this challenge with FreshPaper.
FreshPaper is a biodegradable, compostable and recyclable piece of paper that keeps fruits and vegetables fresher for up to four times longer.
The five-inch square (12.7 centimetres) paper is made of edible organic extracts. It works by simply putting it in the fridge drawers and inside cartons, bags and containers with fresh produce. FreshPaper’s magic lies in that it inhibits bacterial and fungal growth, as well as degradative enzymes. The sheets contain no zeolite, sodium permanganate, charcoal or plastic. The sheets can be reused for up to three weeks before being composted.
Fenugreen founders Kavita M Shukla and Swaroop Samant hope to bring FreshPaper to all the 1.6 billion people living without refrigeration with their “Buy One, Give One” campaign, whereby they donate a package of FreshPaper to a food bank or nonprofit for every one sold.
FreshPaper is a finalist in the INDEX: Award 2013.
