Sometimes inventions can literally be found lying in the street and in this case that's precisely the problem. I recently ran the Rotterdam marathon and as I was running I saw the ground turn into a carpet of energy gel packaging. The gels are useful for providing much-needed calories along the way, but that sea of packaging is not in keeping with a green sport like running. Time for innovation!The problem
You need to take the gel every couple of kilometres. Many runners take several pouches with them on longer runs. Even though this shouldn't really be happening, lots of empty pouches end up with all the cups on the street after being used at the water stations. Because they are light, they get blown around in all directions.
They are small plastic pouches with a tab that you tear off to slurp the gel while running. The sugar-rich gel is quite sticky and so are the empty pouches. To avoid contributing to the problem I put mine in my pockets.
The pouches are light. However, this generally does not make any difference when it comes to what people do with them once they are empty. Runners avoid every extra gram. Reusable pouches already exist, but they are difficult to clean due to their stickiness.
Eureka moment at the dishwasher
That evening, after fishing the bags out of my pockets, I had a eureka moment. The dishwasher eats these gel pouches up without any problem. So why can't people? As a patent attorney I delved into the literature. What did I find? London-based Notpla (Not Plastic) developed “Ooho”: an edible, biodegradable packaging made from seaweed. It has even been tested in marathons!
One innovation away from success
However, there has not been a major breakthrough yet. Apparently there are still a few snags to be overcome. But Notpla is definitely onto something. We are just one step away from the perfect sustainable gel packaging. A solution that will change the marathon streetscape.
Who is going to take up the challenge?
To all innovative athletes, inventors and entrepreneurs: there is a great opportunity here. Sometimes a brilliant idea can literally be found lying in the street.
