#102 A Masterclass in Biodegradability & PLA with Dr. Ramani Narayan | Part 1

Sustainable packaging news from October 2026 — from Nestle's failed attempt at revolutionizing compostable coffee pods to California reducing its single-use plastic cut goal.In this Good Garbage episode of “Around the World of Packaging”, Sargam Krishna and Kumar Niketan round up the month: Sargam covers innovation, Kumar covers trade — laws, bans, and trailblazers like Italy writing compostable packaging into its law.🎧 Full episode on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🗞️ In this episode with Sargam & Kumar:• Shunho Creative's TransMet: A 30-nanometer aluminum layer with biodegradable paper for a plastic-free metallic finish• Nestlé is discontinuing its 82%-paper Nespresso capsules• Tetra Pak is validating a 53 GSM, 85%-paper ice cream wrapper with European producers before a planned rollout• Bower Collective and Kelpi presented liquid soap sachets with a seaweed-based water barrier• Koehler Paper and The Bell Group team up to make paper flow packs for Babybel 2 Go cheese snacks• A second EU PFAS restriction affecting paper and paperboard food packaging, with a 25-parts-per-billion limit for PFHxA• Italy's compostable-packaging exception to EU's 2030 single-use plastic bans• India's FSSAI proposed allowing chemically recycled polyethylene and polypropylene in food packaging under specified conditions, with a 60-day public comment period• California recalculated its single-use plastic reduction baseline; the 2032 target is described as a 250,000-ton cut, while packaging sold in the state must be recyclable or compostable• South Korea proposed a 15% recycled-content requirement for PET bottles from 2027, and Thailand is reviewing stricter BPA and PFAS limits for plastic food containers📰 Chapters:00:00 October packaging and sustainability news begins00:45 Plastic-free metallic paperboard and the Nespresso capsule reversal05:21 Tetra Pak's 53 GSM paper ice cream wrapper06:36 Seaweed-coated liquid sachets and paper recycling08:49 Babybel two-packs move to recyclable paper flow packs12:02 Europe's second PFAS limit and Italy's compostable exception14:17 EU exporter paperwork and India's recycled-plastic proposal16:07 California's revised target and Oregon's EPR appeal17:04 South Korea and Thailand weigh new packaging rules18:27 Why packaging claims now need proofGood Garbage is a podcast about sustainable materials, packaging and regeneration, hosted by Ved Krishna — conversations with the innovators, scientists and founders building a cleaner planet. The question behind every episode: What is Good Garbage?▶ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@GoodGarbage🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🔗 More: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcastWebsite: https://www.goodgarbage.infoInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodgarbagepodcast/💌 Contact us: [email protected] by Pakka

How do you deal with the world's most invasive aquatic weed, that harms both humans and animal life? If you're a Kenyan company that has cracked the code, you turn it into sustainable packaging! 🌿In this episode, we had an amazing conversation with Joseph Nguthiru, Founder of HyaPak, a company killing two birds with one stone by turning water hyacinth into bioplastics. Joseph is making waves as an Obama Leader, UN Young Champion of the Earth and a Presidential Award recipient, and using his platform for incredible innovation and making good change for the earth. 🌍🎧 Full episode on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🧠 In this episode with Joseph Nguthiru:• Joseph's background and early influences• The problem of water hyacinth and its ecological impact• The journey from idea to business and funding challenges• The role of consumer testing and market fit in product development• The importance of industry collaboration and scaling solutions• Science and process of creating bioplastics from hyacinth• Market challenges and application-driven product development• Cost and value considerations in sustainable packaging• Long-term vision for environmental impact and circular economy🪻Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Joseph Nguthiru and Water Hyacinth Innovation02:11 Meeting Barak Obama & King Charles04:19 Joseph’s Early Influences and Growing Up in Kenya05:01 Science behind bioplastics from hyacinth and process challenges08:35 Understanding Water Hyacinth and Its Impact10:13 Market application and product development journey12:53 The Business of Water Hyacinth and Market Challenges15:39 Cost, value, and consumer preferences in sustainable packaging19:15 The Water Hyacinth as a Raw Material and Its History20:23 Collaboration, open source, and future visions24:28 Starting the Entrepreneurial Journey in Kenya24:55 Impact of recognition, awards, and long-term goals30:01 Final thoughts and call to action for sustainability33:01 Government Support and Market Opportunities in Kenya36:44 Converting Water Hyacinth into Products and Scaling43:43 Unique Properties of Water Hyacinth and Its Potential50:56 The Future of Water Hyacinth and Ecological SolutionsGood Garbage is a podcast about sustainable materials, packaging and regeneration, hosted by Ved Krishna — conversations with the innovators, scientists and founders building a cleaner planet. The question behind every episode: what is good garbage?HyaPak: ⁠https://hyapak.com⁠Joseph: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/_nguthiru/▶ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@GoodGarbage🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🔗 Our Website: ⁠https://www.goodgarbage.info⁠💌 Contact us: [email protected]

India is banking on something too small for the naked eye to see for advancement in fields that matter most: microbes! 🦠These tiny creatures are responsible for development across medicine, agriculture and industry. And who better to learn about microbes from than the first female director of CSIR-IMTECH, Dr. Alka Rao?Dr. Rao is one of the most accomplished scientists in India today, with over 16 years of experience in R&D and regulatory affairs. She is a former FSSAI Advisor for Science, Standards & Regulation, two-time representative of 24 Asian countries at the Codex Alimentarius Commission, and a recipient of over 15 awards and fellowships. On top of this amazing list, she has also lead the development of Indian Sign Language, especially in relation to STEM subjects! Last month, we flew to her office in Chandigarh to have this conversation with the force of a woman that is Dr. Rao– and we are so excited to finally bring it to you guys! 🎧🔬 In this episode with Dr. Alka Rao:• CSIR-IMTECH's history and contribution to Indian scientific development• What microbes are and how they can be used across various sectors• A scientist's process• Can creating fake meat and leather from animal cells work?• Dr. Rao as a person and her work with the hearing impaired community and ISL🎙️ Chapters:0:00 Trailer & intro01:55 Dr. Rao's experience as CSIR-IMTECH Director02:20 CSIR-IMTECH as an institution03:55 What are microbes?08:00 How cultures are made10:50 Can microbes degrade plastic?15:30 Repercussions of dealing with microbes17:10 Using microbes to make polymers26:30 Lab-made meat and leather32:10 Collaborations between industry & microbiology42:00 Alka, the person47:10 Dr. Rao's work with ISL53:45 What does Good Garbage mean to Alka Rao?54:55 ConclusionsGood Garbage is a podcast about sustainable materials, packaging and regeneration, hosted by Ved Krishna — conversations with the innovators, scientists and founders building a cleaner planet. The question behind every episode: what is good garbage?▶ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@GoodGarbage🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcastCSIR-IMTECH: https://www.imtech.res.in/enWebsite: https://www.goodgarbage.info💌 Contact us: [email protected]

What is flexible packaging? Why can't we recycle MLPs? Is the future of packaging paper, plastic, or something else entirely? If you've ever asked yourself any of these questions, don't miss the chance to get answers from a senior VP at the biggest sustainable packaging company in all of North America! 🧻This week on Good Garbage, Ved Krishna meets Allison Scales, the first female VP of Printing and Graphics at Atlantic Packaging: an 80 year old company that started as a newspaper exposing the KKK, and now leads the charge in sustainable packaging. Allison teaches us all about the challenges, achievements and hope for the future in the world of packaging from her 14 years of experience at Atlantic! 🎧 Full episode on Spotify & Apple: https://www.goodgarbage.infoIn this episode with Allison Scales:• Flexible packaging: Basics and Evolution• Materials and equipment used in flexible packaging• Sustainability and end-of-life challenges• Innovations in paper and biopolymer packaging• Atlantic's history and growth in the packaging industry• Challenges in converting and alternative materials• Future trends in sustainable packagingChapters:00:00 Introduction to Allison Scales and Atlantic Packaging01:59 Allison's leadership journey and early influences06:06 Career trajectory and key learnings in printing industry11:03 Basics of flexible packaging and its importance12:00 Materials and equipment in flexible packaging production13:45 Evolution and significance of flexible packaging in daily life16:52 Multilayer structures and their role in shelf life extension18:51 Industry standards and decision factors for packaging structures21:59 Challenges of recycling multilayer flexible packaging24:04 Complexity of printing and converting flexible materials27:05 Atlantic's equipment innovations for sustainable packaging36:55 Atlantic's history from newspaper to diversified packaging company43:58 Atlantic's initiatives in sustainable packaging solutions49:56 Future growth plans and industry evolution56:06 Challenges in customer adoption and industry change57:06 What does Good Garbage mean to Allison?Good Garbage is a podcast about sustainable materials, packaging and regeneration, hosted by Ved Krishna — conversations with the innovators, scientists and founders building a cleaner planet. The question behind every episode: what is good garbage?Atlantic Packaging:  https://www.atlanticpkg.com▶ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@GoodGarbage🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🔗 More: https://www.goodgarbage.info💌 Contact us: [email protected]

Hello, hello! It's Good Garbage News! 🗞️September was a month filled with groundbreaking transformations in the packaging and sustainability world. Learn about everything from cookies made out of plastic bottles to Oman giving zero duty access to 99% of India's exports in this episode! 🌐🎙️ Hosted by Sargam Krishna & Kumar Niketan 🔬 Innovation:• Ellen MacArthur Foundation launches the PaperFlex Consortium• Lactips & SmartSolve team up to launch the PureNil 0, the world's first 100% plastic-free, dispersible, printable, flexible packaging substrate• Mondelez International replaces their PET trays with paper trays for their flagship European cookie range across 25 markets• Researchers at Southern Illinois University develop a groundbreaking upcycling process, turning PET bottles into edible cookies (Funded by NASA)• SWM International launches the FIVE™, a fluorine-free, oil & grease resistant paper🌐 Industry:• The India-EU Trade Deal has been sent to the European Union Council for approval to sign• GST on Indian paper bags has come down to 5%, while plastic stays at 18%• India-Oman Trade deal: Oman gives zero duty access to over 99% of India's exports and is set to push out plastic bags• US tariffs on Indian goods have fluctuated between 50-10% over the last year, and a new law opens up the possibility of tariffs going up to 100%• Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal visits the US to push for an Interim Trade Deal• India's DGTR recommends an anti-dumping duty of up to $376 on Indonesian multi-layer paperboard💌 Reach out to us at ⁠[email protected]⁠ for feedback or questions!🔗 Never miss an episode by following us on all our socials by clicking on the links below:Website: https://www.goodgarbage.infoInstagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/goodgarbagepodcast/⁠YouTube: www.youtube.com/@GoodGarbage Powered by Pakka

Is branding simply marketing, sales and manipulation, or can it go beyond the superficiality into value systems, transparency and even hope? According to this week's guest, branding, is "being". In this Good Garbage episode, Ved Krishna sits down with Raphael Bemporad, Founder of BBMG- a branding consultancy working with companies the world needs. Raphael believes in the ability to use business to create positive change for a more just, equitable and sustainable society. Having worked with huge brands like Nike, Target and PepsiCo (to name a few), Raphael brings to this conversation over two decades worth of expertise from the world of marketing! 📊🎧 Full episode on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🧠 In this episode with Raphael Bemporad:• Raphael's background in philosophy and family influence• The origin story of BBMG and its mission• The role of branding in social and environmental impact• Case studies of brands like Just Salad and North Face• Strategies for small startups to scale impact• The New Story of Nature and the culture code• Challenges and opportunities in sustainable packaging• The importance of radical transparency and trust• Cultural signals influencing environmental engagement• The nature loop: reconnect, act, belong🎙️ Chapters:00:00 Introduction and Raphael's background02:06 From family roots to social justice and business03:46 Raphael's journey from philosophy to branding06:47 Founding BBMG and early projects12:03 The gelato business and entrepreneurial spirit18:54 Core principles guiding impact-driven business24:02 Working with mission-driven brands like Seventh Generation29:05 Case study: Just Salad and sustainable impact36:02 Challenges in scaling sustainable packaging40:47 The new story of nature and culture signals47:09 Influencing regulators and consumer activism53:08 The importance of trust, transparency, and honesty01:00:08 Building resilient brands and community impact01:05:01 The role of mentorship and community in propagation01:20:00 The new story of nature and the culture code01:29:00 Closing thoughts and future outlooksGood Garbage is a podcast about sustainable materials, packaging and regeneration, hosted by Ved Krishna — conversations with the innovators, scientists and founders building a cleaner planet. The question behind every episode: what is good garbage?BBMG Website: https://bbmg.comRaphael's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com▶ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@GoodGarbage🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🔗 More: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast💌 Contact us: [email protected]

Hello, hello! It's Good Garbage News! 🗞️Every month, in addition to our regular episodes with Ved's interviews, we post an industry update with the latest updates in both sustainable packaging and packaging regulations all across the world.🎙️ Hosted by Sargam Krishna & Kumar Niketan 🔬 Innovation:• Zerocircle's heat-sealable coating as a potential replacement for PE coatings on paper cups• The Starbucks Global Innovation Challenge to help the company look for a compostable material to replace their plastic cups and lids• Researchers at Hassanuddin University have developed a biodegradable film for food packaging out of coconut cellulose• Polymateria has created a technology that helps plastic degrade within 2 years• Cirkla to open its first fiber food-tray manufacturing facility in Georgia, United States🌐 Industry:• The UN Global Plastic Treaty ensures production caps as binding and looks into financing the transition away from plastics• Europe's packaging and packaging waste regulations (that apply to all 27 member states) have come into force starting this August• The federal court in Oregon, United States has upheld the state's recycling modernization act in full• Paper and paperboard packaging have been brought into the Extended Producer Responsibility Framework for the very first time in India• FSSAI's Packaging Amendment Regulations now require small format packaging used for tobacco products to be made out of biodegradable materials• The governments of Korea, Japan and Taiwan have mandated a minimum of 10% recycled content in all plastic products, which is set to rise to 30% by 2030💌 Reach out to us at [email protected] for feedback or questions!🔗 Never miss an episode by following us on all our socials by clicking on the links below:Linktree: https://pakka.com/podcast/?utm_source=instagram&utm_medium=profile&utm_campaign=good_garbage_podcast&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAcGRvZgJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA85MzY2MTk3NDMzOTI0NTkAAadOJN0Sm1QJjoG4RZnzndr98pJquZyTMmMIlIMIwT47X70F2pXf2Fu94De-2w_aem_-GsIopi6F-6vTBCwv4kGIAInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodgarbagepodcast/Powered by Pakka

Did you know that the little packets of chips we consume everyday are the hardest to recycle? Meet the man who took this challenge and turned it into eyewear! 🕶️This week, Ved Krishna sits down with Anish Malpani, Founder and CEO of Without- a brand "recycling the unrecyclable" and doing it ethically. Anish quit his dream job in New York to find his true purpose in this amazing Pune-based start-up that makes eyewear, packaging, yarn and more from MLP and textile waste that everyone else refuses to touch! Without has created the world's first sunglasses made from 100% recycled chip packets using its patented technology. And this innovation goes hand-in-hand with employing, upskilling and educating India's waste pickers. Anish and his team are proof that it is possible to run ethical businesses at scale for a world without waste and poverty. 🌱🎧 Full episode on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🧠 In this episode with Anish Malpani:• How Anish quit his dream job in New York and found his way back to India• India's waste-pickers and everything that's wrong with the system• Building a business out of the most rejected material• Developing cutting-edge technology to solve the hardest problem first• Scaling manufacturing and impact• Balancing profitability with social good🎙️ Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Anish Malpani and Without01:49 Anish's childhood in Aurangabad and early memories05:59 Career at iHeart Media and move to New York08:09 Reflections on privilege and purpose10:04 Journey to Guatemala and impact learning12:02 Starting Without and the focus on waste and poverty14:47 Innovations in plastic recycling technology20:11 Building a social enterprise with impact at the core24:55 The significance of the name 'Without'29:48 Challenges with waste pickers and informal workers35:03 The science behind multi-layer plastic recycling40:11 Scaling technology and manufacturing processes44:57 Future vision for Without and impact goals49:53 Building a culture of fairness and dignity59:54 Funding journey and investor relations01:09:54 The importance of social impact and B Corp certification01:15:09 The role of storytelling and marketing01:19:59 Scaling plans and long-term vision01:23:02 Closing thoughts and appreciationGood Garbage is a podcast about sustainable materials, packaging and regeneration, hosted by Ved Krishna — conversations with the innovators, scientists and founders building a cleaner planet. The question behind every episode: what is good garbage?Without's Website: https://without.live/about-us/Without's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmadewithout/▶ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@GoodGarbage🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🔗 More: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast💌 Contact us: [email protected]

Biodegradable and compostable are not the same word — and the man who put PLA into packaging explains exactly where the difference lives.In this Good Garbage episode, Ved Krishna talks with Dr. Ramani Narayan, Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University and the scientist behind PLA as we know it, about how the legacy polymer was created in his lab, what polymerization really means, and who is responsible for compostability and end of life. Part 2 of 2.🎧 Full episode on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🧠 In this episode with Dr. Ramani Narayan:• History and science of PLA• Biodegradability in biomedical vs. environmental contexts• Feedstock sources for lactic acid• Polymerization processes and properties• Blending and compounding of bioplastics• End-of-life management and composting standards• Scaling production of bioplastics• Future directions in microbial and bio-based polymers🎙️ Chapters:00:00 Introduction and overview of the discussion00:26 History of PLA and its medical uses02:24 PLA's biodegradability in the human body vs. environment05:20 Environmental challenges and misconceptions about PLA07:30 Cargill's entry into the PLA market and legacy polymer14:23 Feedstock sources and economics of lactic acid production31:01 Polymerization process and properties of bioplastics42:02 Fossil vs. biomass feedstocks and their implications53:43 End-of-life management: industrial vs. home composting01:20:19 Future scale and capacity of bioplastics production01:34:48 The concept of Good Garbage and waste managementGood Garbage is a podcast about sustainable materials, packaging and regeneration, hosted by Ved Krishna — conversations with the innovators, scientists and founders building a cleaner planet. The question behind every episode: what is Good Garbage? 🌱▶ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@GoodGarbage🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🔗 More: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast💌 Contact us: [email protected]

Hello, hello!This week, we sit down with the OG of biopolymers and the man behind PLA as we know it today-- the one and only Dr. Ramani Narayan, Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University. In this masterclass episode, he teaches us everything to know about biodegradability: from the science to the myths. 🎧 Full episode on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🌱 In this episode:• Biodegradability as a property, not a magic solution• Standards for biodegradation and compostability• The role of microbial activity and environmental factors• Misconceptions about plastic breakdown times• The importance of proper waste management and composting• The science of microplastics and environmental impact• The difference between natural and synthetic biodegradable materials🎙️ Chapters:00:00 Introduction and guest background01:08 Ramni Narayan's journey from basketball to biopolymers03:19 How did Dr. Narayan get into organic chemistry and biopolymers?08:44 The evolution of biopolymers and their market potential15:25 Understanding biodegradability vs. compostability22:18 Standards and testing for biodegradation36:45 Environmental conditions affecting biodegradation rates44:44 The role of waste management and composting01:00:09 The science of polymer breakdown and microbial activity01:12:20 Impact of temperature and environment on degradation01:22:51 Clarifying misconceptions about biodegradable plasticsGood Garbage is a podcast about sustainable materials, packaging and regeneration, hosted by Ved Krishna — conversations with the innovators, scientists and founders building a cleaner planet. The question behind every episode: What is Good Garbage?▶ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@GoodGarbage🎧 Listen on Spotify & Apple: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast🔗 More: https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast💌 Contact us: [email protected]