Scientists racing to tackle plastic pollution have created a surprising new contender: a biodegradable packaging film made partly from milk protein. Researchers at Flinders University blended calcium caseinate with starch and natural nanoclay to form a thin, durable material designed to mimic everyday plastic. In soil tests, the film fully broke down in about 13 weeks, pointing to a realistic alternative for single-use food packaging.
Growing more dairy cows for plastic alternatives seems very much a big step backward.
If it can use milk that would otherwise be thrown out, due to contamination or expiration, that wouldn’t be so bad.
Milk protein can be grown in labs now:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/daphneewingchow/2025/02/24/first-lab-grown-whole-cows-milk-to-debut-in-the-us/