WRITTEN BY: Jane Marsh | BioFriendly Planet Magazine We currently live in a world barraged by plastic. Since 2010, scientists estimate 8 million metric tons of plastic have entered our oceans because of human waste. That’s approximately the same weight as 90 aircraft carriers. If we do nothing to counteract this current trend, the rate of plastic in our waterways is on track to increase dramatically by 2025. The encouraging news is many people are actively working to reverse this dangerous trend by investing in sustainable options for packaging. One of the most promising alternatives to plastic is seaweed.  Why Seaweed Works Kelp shows a promising future in the packaging industry for several reasons:  Seaweed proliferates: As a raw material, kelp proves simple to cultivate, growing up to 3 meters a day. The entire crop is ready to harvest within a little over a month, making the grow-time entirely manageable.   Seaweed is easily accessible: Kelp grows on every coastline. It’s also simple to extract from the shore or harvest a crop.  Seaweed is inexpensive: Unlike other crops, it doesn’t require fertilizers or freshwater, making it comparatively cheap to produce. Seaweed products decompose: Unlike their plastic packaging counterparts, kelp is biodegradable. Single-use straws, or containers for restaurants, are biodegradable in four to six weeks. Some plastic bottles take hundreds of years to decompose. Rather than let seaweed products disintegrate, you can also choose to eat them. Seaweed is sustainable: Scientists collect the material to ferment it and create packaging. This process requires no chemical distillation, unlike similar materials. The procedure’s only effect is a yeast byproduct that can be converted and fed to farm animals.  Seaweed Is Innovative Numerous startups utilize kelp in their packaging. All are as creative and unique as their raw material.  Evo & Co: Founded in Indonesia, this company sells biodegradable packaging, cups and ut