Sustainable food industry and compostable underwear

The taste of the chocolate depends on the fermentation of the cocoa beans just after harvest – beans are stacked under banana leaves and left for several days. However, chocolate production involves widespread deforestation and forced child labour. That’s why UK start-up WNWN Food Labs Ltd is proposing an ethical alternative – a fermentation process using British barley and locust beans from southern Europe. Similarly operate start-ups of Planet A Foods, based in Munich, which produces chocolate from fermented oats, and California Cultured Inc, which uses cultured cocoa cells in the laboratory to produce chocolate.

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson’s locally produced honey from a small farm alleviated their son’s allergy-induced health problems. The production of it has also proved to be a great business idea. Honey is a natural anti-inflammatory and the company Zach & Zoe, which is run with children, has quickly gained popularity in the US artisanal and organic market.

Underwear companies face the challenge of recycling used garments – a huge amount of waste that cannot be reused. That’s why Los Angeles-based Kent offers a “fully compostable” line of underwear, made from 100% pima cotton. Such a product can be disposed of in a compost heap with food leftovers at the end of its use. Aerie, meanwhile, runs a bra return programme where it donates used bras to the Free the Girls programme. This programme supports victims of sex trafficking.