Agriculture is known for its innovation. It is about finding new uses for the things we produce and finding ways to use more of our biproducts and cast-offs, so we can cut down on product waste. It is in that spirit that we are hearing about a breakthrough in which the castoffs and leftovers from watermelons are being turned into a plastic.
A company in Indiana, called AgroRenew, is behind the practice. Brian Southern is a co-founder of the company and he talks about their breakthrough.
Not only is the plastic durable, but it is also biodegradable. That means that when it is time to discard the products made with this watermelon plastic, the substance breaks down completely in the soil with no harmful remains.
Southern says that watermelon producers in the state were concerned about how much food was going to waste, because of melons that were not meeting food quality standards. The plastic gives these less desirable melons a second chance to be useful.
Southern and his business partner and wife Katie took their knowledge of food science and plastics engineering to develop the new product.
Not only are watermelons being used for these plastics, but the Southerns are finding success using cantaloupes and pumpkins as well.
Construction plans have been made for their new $83 million, 92,000-square-foot facility.
It is scheduled to come online in 2026.
