Enviro News Asia, Rome — During the 2025 World Food Forum (WFF) flagship event, Ecoinno and its partner KIDsforSDGs organized a youth side event titled “Plastics’ Impact on Earth and Our Well-being: A Global Call-to-Action to Protect Planet and Our Health.” The session gathered young innovators, changemakers, and sustainability advocates to address the escalating challenge of plastic pollution and its effects on food safety, ecosystems, and human health.
The event aimed to amplify youth perspectives and showcase youth-led innovations bridging science, technology, and sustainability, positioning young people as key drivers in the transition toward a circular economy. Building on emerging scientific evidence of microplastic contamination from food packaging, speakers emphasized the urgent need for stronger regulatory frameworks and sustainable alternatives in the food industry.
Opening remarks were delivered by George Chen, founder of Ecoinno, and Professor Alexander Bismarck from the University of Vienna, who shared a decade-long research journey that turned cellulose—a natural agricultural byproduct—into Green Composite Material (GCM), a heat-resistant, biodegradable, zero-plastic solution for food packaging.
Youth presentations from KIDsforSDGs showcased innovative approaches to health and sustainability. Maxwell Shu Wang Yau (16) presented “Night Water,” a caffeine-free beverage promoting balanced lifestyles and addressing youth caffeine overconsumption. Rae Liu, representing Future of Engineers, explored solutions to the “Smart City Efficiency Paradox” through sustainable engineering tools such as pollution-reducing concrete and photovoltaic windows.
An Lee introduced MooMelts, a circular innovation transforming surplus milk into premium plastic-free soap to combat food waste. Meanwhile, Bella Pak presented Verticalgae, a vertical farming model using Chlorella sorokiniana, a microalgae-based organic fertilizer that replaces chemical inputs and enhances sustainable food production.
The session concluded with a unified message: the need for global collaboration and innovation to cut plastic waste, safeguard food systems, and promote bio-based materials. From cellulose packaging to algae-based farming, young changemakers demonstrated how science and creativity can drive real-world solutions for a cleaner, healthier planet. (*)
