Creating a better world

Plastics have infiltrated our ecosystems and threaten both animal and human health. Unsurprisingly, the costs are astronomical, estimated to be $75 billion each year, with food and beverage companies accountable for the greatest proportion at 23%. Further contributing to the based plastic bags. Due to its unique composition, it is widely considered in the world as one of the lowest costs for bio-plastic.

The need for the bags was created by the need to solve numerous problems, mainly the amount of waste Bahrain produces. Understanding and defining what biodegradable actually means as as well as what is compostable. “Our products are starch based and are fully biodegradable and compostable, in that they will not harm the environment, and will break down and are safe to the earth.” growing micro and macro plastic pollution crisis, diets that incorporate excessive amounts of packaged ultra-processed and fast foods have seen a rise in takeaway food containers becoming a leading source of global aquatic litter. As such, this growing problem is compromising food security, forcing us to question our decisions around the food that we consume.

After 20 years in the banking sector, Waheeda Qerashi - a dedicated entrepreneur is ready to bring sustainable production to the table with her biodegradable bags and through her company

LALAPLAST Manufacturing Biodegradable Plastics. She talks to Bahrain Food Monitor about her latest venture.

“After investing two years and managing to get the location, and the factories I'm now on my way to getting the machinery. In November 2023, we will be able to use these machines with a trainer guiding us in their usage and applications,” says Waheeda.

LALAPLAST bags are a bio-based alternative that becomes the ideal replacement to petroleum

She adds: “Numerous established companies will often make more specific claims, primarily certifying that their bioplastics are compostable. Compostable plastics are a subset of biodegradable plastics, defined by the standard conditions and timeframe under which they will biodegrade. All compostable plastics are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable plastics would be considered compostable.”

Despite the utmost efforts by governments in the region to introduce new laws and regulations around single-use plastics Waheeda still believes there is a serious need for education in and around the use of single plastic usage. She says: "To create lasting change in Arab countries around plastic usage, we need more education, better rules, and effective guidelines that promote a greener and healthier lifestyle. People need to be informed and educated about the devastating effects of plastic on our planet. Only then can we take the necessary steps towards building a better, more sustainable future for our environment and for the generations to come."

LALAPLAST will be available from summer 2023.