Sea Lettuce to Be Used in the Packaging Sector

Sea Lettuce to Be Used in Packaging Sector Ulva lactuca, commonly known as 'sea lettuce' and particularly abundant in Izmir Bay during certain periods of the year, has become the subject of a scientific study. A project developed by the Sustainable Development Youth Leaders Training Programme (SÜGEP) Academy aims to use sea lettuce, which causes shore pollution and odour problems, as raw material in the packaging sector. Based on the project idea developed by young sustainability leaders trained at SÜGEP Academy, ulva lactuca—a macroalga whose population is growing uncontrollably in Izmir Bay and contributes to environmental problems—will serve as an alternative raw material for the packaging industry. The young researchers, working on obtaining packaging raw material based on the extensive use of cellulose found in sea lettuce in the packaging sector, are conducting research. Project leaders who are conducting field work and will initiate R&D work with collected samples state that sea lettuce could be an alternative to plastic materials.

Biodegradable Raw Material

SÜGEP Academy Chairman Umut Dilsiz stated, "Young people receiving education on sustainability have attempted to provide solutions to environmental problems with a sustainable perspective and have addressed a problem widespread throughout Izmir. Our students first received training, then we conducted field work. The project focuses on a problem caused by climate change that creates an odour issue in Izmir Bay and about which everyone complains. The main source of the odour is ulva lactuca spread along the coastline. Although this situation appears to be an environmental problem, our students' research determined that ulva lactuca could be a potential biodegradable raw material. With a multiple-benefit approach, the goal is both to clean the algae from the bay and to contribute it to the economy as a raw material."

Field Mapping Work

Noting that they realized cellulose contained in sea lettuce could be used as biodegradable raw material, Dilsiz said, "We started from the question: can we produce a plastic alternative packaging using this cellulose? After field work, we will have laboratory work. During a boat tour in the bay, we conducted mapping work to determine where the population had accumulated. In the next phase, we will attempt to obtain biodegradable packaging raw material using these algae. We will continue R&D work on this in the laboratory."

Hope for Business World Exporting to EU

Recalling the regulation introduced by the European Union (EU) requiring the use of biodegradable raw materials in imported goods in line with 2030 targets, Dilsiz said, "This regulation has emerged as an important barrier to be overcome for our country, which exports more than 50 per cent of its exports to the European Union. Our business world's packaging choice for export goods was plastic. However, Europe does not want plastic, and an alternative raw material needs to be produced. This is the focus of our project. Since sea lettuce is a completely natural material, it has a structure that serves the zero-waste mission. We are currently working to obtain a raw material alternative to plastic. When this project is completed, the ulva lactuca that causes odour in the bay and whose population has grown excessively will be cleaned, the environmental problem will be eliminated, and the waste generated will be brought into industry. Moreover, we will do this without causing any harm to the environment."

Prototype to Be Developed

Expressing that they will share the reports resulting from the study with universities, Izmir Metropolitan Municipality, and Izmir Development Agency, Dilsiz said, "We believe that with their support, good results will emerge. There will be stages where we need professional support for the project to be fully implemented. By summer, we will have produced a prototype. Young people are conducting this work within an international programme called Young Voices for the Environment. All reports from the study are being transferred to international platforms and gaining recognition worldwide. This is an important image for Turkish youth. We place great importance on young people conducting such studies."

"Could Serve Many Sectors"

SÜGEP Project Assistant Industrial Designer Burcu Yağmur Doğan stated that they are conducting work to obtain packaging raw material by separating the cellulose in sea lettuce. Saying that at the end of the work they aim to produce raw material that could initially serve many different sectors such as the food sector and textile sector, Doğan continued her remarks: "With our project, we participated in the 'Harvest Grant Programme' held for the first time this year by the İnci Foundation and qualified to receive 'Harvest Development Support'. Due to the support, we have launched field work. During our field work conducted by boat in Izmir Bay, we mapped the sea lettuce. We also submitted this project to Izmir Development Agency and received positive feedback from the authorities. We had the opportunity to communicate with many people from the business world. Good communication networks were established. Our next goal is to examine the algae we collected in a laboratory environment. For this, we hope to make a packaging company a stakeholder. We will begin work shortly with the packaging company we are in communication with. This project is intended primarily for nature but will also bring commercial gains. When we obtain a prototype, as it will appeal to many sectors and the Green Deal is a responsibility for companies, it will certainly be evaluated." Young Sustainability Leader Ceyla Şen said, "As a team, we took a boat tour in Izmir Bay. As a result of the tour, we determined that ulva lactuca was more prevalent particularly in the Inciraltı and Bostanlı areas. We will initiate R&D work in the laboratory with the sea lettuce we collected. With our project, we aim to use sea lettuce as raw material in the packaging sector," while Yasmin Ulu and Nehir Göknar said, "During field work, we saw more sea lettuce than ever before. When our project is realized, environmental pollution will be eliminated and sea lettuce will be brought into the economy." The project is being conducted under the supervision of Ege University Faculty Member Assoc. Prof. Ertan Dağlı and SÜGEP Academy Training Coordinator Biologist Çiçek Dilsiz. The project team consists of Naz Barış, Ece Erdiren, Ceyla Şen, Ceren Kocabaş, Ceren Erzincan, Berra Kalkan, Sarp Uçar, Deren Tepe, Ömer İyigün, Nehir Alemdağ, Zeynep Özkayalar, Yasmin Ulu, Nehir Göknar, and Burcu Yağmur Doğan. Source: (İHA)