Project turning food waste into bioplastics receives award

Mel’s video was given the Trending on VYT award, which was a boon to the emerging researcher.

“It’s a tremendous honour to receive this recognition. It validates the effort I put into my work for years,” Mel says.

“This is the biggest achievement I’ve earned since coming to Australia, and it motivates me to continue working hard and sharing my research with a broader community, demonstrating the importance of science communication.”

Visualise Your Thesis is an international program that challenges graduate researchers to present their work in a 60-second audio-visual explainer.

It highlights global graduate research and equips participants with essential skills to effectively communicate complex research to a general audience.

Mel first won the University of Adelaide VYT heat, hosted by the University Library, and then went on to represent the University at the international competition, where she received the Trending on VYT award.

"We are so proud of Mel for the outstanding job she has done in representing the University of Adelaide on the global stage. Her achievement showcases the creativity and dedication of our graduate researchers,” says University Librarian Sian Woolcock.

Mel was inspired to find a solution to the dual issues of food waste and plastic pollution by seeing the problem in her daily life.

“Plastic food packaging is everywhere, from ready-meal boxes you buy at the supermarket to cling wrap used for fresh produce,” she says.

“The sheer volume of single-use plastic and its environmental impact made me question if there could be a more sustainable alternative. Combined with my passion for tackling food waste, I was inspired to explore bioplastics as a potential solution.”

As described in her VYT video, Mel has discovered bioplastics can be developed for a range of purposes.

“Whether you need it to be highly permeable for vegetable packaging or very resistant to moisture for bakery products, the properties can be adjusted by altering the composition. This flexibility highlights the potential of bioplastics as a versatile, eco-friendly material,” Mel says.

Mel’s research is supported through the University of Adelaide and the End Food Waste Cooperative Research Centre, based at the Waite campus.

“The University of Adelaide’s advanced analytical equipment and laboratory facilities enable me to conduct high-quality experiments,” Mel says.

“Additionally, the University fosters a supportive research community, and collaborations with my supervisors and colleagues have been instrumental in refining my methodologies.”

Mel’s next challenge is to find a path to commercialisation for her functional bioplastic made of food waste.

“Achieving commercialisation requires further refinement, scalability testing, and partnerships with industry stakeholders. With consistent progress and the right support, I hope to bring a viable product to market within the next few years,” Mel says.

“I hope this research will help consumers and industry continue the shift towards a circular economy where waste materials are repurposed into valuable resources.”