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/
Milk isn’t a term just for dairy, you can do this with plants too
For example, Soy or Hemp milk would be good candidates for industrial processing
Maybe, but this article is about making plastic with casein which is from mammal milk.