A big fish for sustainable packaging

Tom Long (Photo: Australian Maritime Safety Authority)

An Australian fisherman has innovated and patented a sustainable alternative to expanded polystyrene (EPS). Tom Long, who owns a fishing company based in Queensland, is the man behind this development.

Wanting to transport seafood products to suppliers, Tom and his wife Kath began to look for an eco-friendly alternative to EPS packaging, which is insoluble in water. The problem was, there was no alternative. Tom thus began to work on his own product and, in 2018, invented his ‘Tomkat Koolpak’ solution, which ensures that the packaging can be reused and recycled.

If the packaging ends up in the ocean, its owner can be tracked via a traceability function. By developing this solution as well as the machinery to manufacture it, Tom and his wife have changed the sustainable packaging game. (mk)

www.amsa.gov.au

www.tomkatlinefish.com (the couple’s fishing business)