Can you eat the packaging instead of throwing it away?

Hello, hello!

In this episode of the Good Garbage Podcast, host Ved Krishna sits down with Naama Nicotara, founder of NakedPak, to explore a radical rethinking of food packaging, one where the wrapper disappears entirely.

From her early inspiration to the material science behind algae-based films, Naama shares the journey of building NakedPak and challenging the very idea of what packaging should be. What began as a response to plastic pollution evolved into a bold innovation that merges food, material science, and design.

This conversation dives into the realities of building a breakthrough sustainability product. From behavioural shifts and market confusion to food safety certifications and scaling production, Naama explains what it truly takes to move from concept to consumer.

Together, Ved and Naama discuss:

• The origin story behind NakedPak

• Why algae became the material of choice

• How edible packaging is developed in the lab

• The science behind taste, shelf life, and food safety

• Consumer psychology and behavioural change

• Market positioning and the blurred line between meal and packaging

• Certifications and regulatory hurdles

• Accessibility, pricing, and commercial viability

• Collaboration and the future of zero waste food systems

• The episode closes with a reflection on what it really means to eliminate waste; not by replacing plastic with another material, but by questioning whether packaging is needed at all.

🎙️ Good Garbage features conversations with founders, scientists, and builders working to leave the planet cleaner — while asking one essential question: What is Good Garbage?

📌Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Naama Nicotara and NakedPak

03:12 The origin story and early inspiration

07:45 Why algae and edible materials?

12:20 Inside the lab: how the packaging is made

18:05 Taste, shelf life, and food safety concerns

24:30 Certifications and regulatory approvals

30:10 Market positioning: meal or packaging innovation

38:45 Pricing and accessibility

44:20 Consumer behaviour and comfort zones

52:15 Challenges in building a breakthrough idea

59:40 Collaboration and industry response

01:07:30 Scaling production and factory vision

01:15:00 The future of edible packaging

01:22:10 What is Good Garbage?

Naama's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/naama-nicotra-1b9232174/?originalSubdomain=il

NakedPak: https://www.nakedpak.com/

NakedPak LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/nakedpak/

NakedPak Instagram: https://share.google/n03pqrTXGwcu7z9vv

Producer: Palakshi Aggarwal

Video Producer: Sargam Krishna

📺 Subscribe on YouTube: /@GoodGarbage

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify

📸 Follow on Instagram /@goodgarbagepodcast

📩 Send us your questions: palakshi.aggarwal@pakka.com

Hello, hello!

In this episode of the Good Garbage Podcast, host Ved Krishna sits down with Dr. Alexey Vishtal, a scientist and industry expert in pulp, paper, and sustainable packaging, to explore thematerial reality behind sustainability.

From growing up in Russia to building his career in Finland, Alexey shares the journey that led him into material science — including a PhD focused on the stretchability of paper and years working inside a global corporation like Nestlé. Along the way, he gained rare insight into how sustainability actually moves (or stalls) inside large systems.

This conversation goes beyond surface-level sustainability narratives and into the physics, constraints, and trade-offs that define packaging today. From water vapor barriers to economic viability, Alexey explains why materials — not intentions — ultimately decide what works.

Together, Ved and Alexey discuss:

Why paper performance is more complex than it seems

What stretchability, barriers, and material limits really mean

How regulation and consumer demand shape sustainability efforts

What working inside Nestlé revealed about innovation at scale

How nature offers clues for better material design

Why collaboration is essential for the future of sustainable packaging

The episode closes with a reflection on good garbage — and what it would take to design materials that truly belong in natural and industrial systems.

🎙️ Good Garbage features conversations with scientists, founders, and builders working to leave the planet cleaner — while asking one essential question: What is #GoodGarbage?

📌 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Alexey Vishtal

03:04 From Russia to Finland: early influences

05:46 Discovering pulp & paper

09:00 The science of paper stretchability

12:10 Inside Nestlé: sustainability at scale

17:56 Regulation, consumers & real change

21:11 India, culture, and perspectives

29:52 Innovation in sustainable packaging

50:06 Why water vapor barriers are so hard

54:13 Learning from nature

01:01:20 The future of sustainable materials

01:24:19 Vision for the future of packaging

Producer: Adriana Sánchez Uebelhoer

Video Producer: Sargam Krishna

📺 Subscribe on YouTube: / @goodgarbage

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotify

📸 Follow on Instagram: / @goodgarbagepodcast

📩 Send us your questions: adriana@pakka.com

Hello, hello! In this episode of the Good Garbage Podcast, host Ved Krishna sits down with Neha Jain, Founder & CEO of Zerocircle, to explore how seaweed-based materials could transform the future of sustainable packaging.

Imagine a world where packaging doesn’t end up stranded on beaches, but instead safely dissolves back into nature. That’s the future Neha is working toward.

Neha shares her journey from working at Google to building Zerocirlce, a company focused on developing natural polymer materials from seaweed as an alternative to plastic packaging. This conversation dives deep into material science, the challenges of scaling sustainable packaging solutions, and why true sustainability must work commercially, not just environmentally.

Together, Ved and Neha discuss:

- How seaweed is used to create home-compostable packaging materials

- The science behind natural polymers and plastic alternatives

- Why collaboration is critical in the sustainable materials ecosystem

- What it takes to scale climate-positive solutions globally

- Why “good garbage” means designing systems where waste doesn’t exist

Zerocircle’s vision goes beyond packaging aiming to become a core material provider for manufacturers worldwide, helping reduce plastic waste at scale.

→ Find out more about Zerocirlce: https://www.zerocircle.in/

🎙️ Good Garbage features conversations with founders, scientists, and innovators working to leave the planet cleaner - while asking one essential question: What is #GoodGarbage?

📌 Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Neha Jain and Zero Circle

02:50 Early life, curiosity, and career path

09:24 Entrepreneurship lessons from Flyby Night

15:21 Discovering sustainability and material science

29:57 Founding Zero Circle

54:14 Why seaweed? Properties and potential

01:00:44 Extraction, processing, and scalability

01:10:13 Commercialization challenges

01:22:00 Investors and funding climate solutions

01:30:03 Collaboration in the seaweed ecosystem

01:34:08 The future of sustainable packaging

Neha’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nehajn/

Zerocircle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zerocircle/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zerocircle_in/

Producer: Adriana Sánchez Uebelhoer

Video Producer: Sargam Krishna

📺 Subscribe on YouTube: / @goodgarbage

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts & Spotif

y📸 Follow on Instagram: / @goodgarbagepodcast

📩 Send us your questions: adriana@pakka.com

Sammy Davies, Director of Sustainability & Brand at EcoSafe Zero Waste, is a regenerative leader who bridges the gap between high-level brand strategy and deep ecological advocacy. With over a decade of experience in cleantech, she brings a "systems change" mindset to the heart of the circular economy.

What if the secret to fixing our broken industrial systems isn't found in a boardroom, but in the ancient wisdom of the earth? We explore how a background in herbalism and ancestral medicine can fundamentally reshape our approach to environmental leadership and personal connection.

Modern waste management is full of promises, but how much of it is actually working? We take a closer look at the innovative tools driving real diversion and the specific household items that are quietly revolutionizing how we handle our daily footprint.

The journey toward zero waste is rarely a straight line. We dive into the uncomfortable truths regarding the "green" products we rely on and why true transformation requires us to fall in love with the very systems we often overlook.

Join host Ved Krishna as he learns from inspiring guests and experts in the industry of sustainable packaging about ways to leave the planet cleaner and answer what is #GoodGarbage?

Check out the Good Garbage podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen to podcasts about making the planet cleaner! Check out more on our journey! Get involved at pakka.com

#composting #sustainability #packaging #environment #compostable

Producer: Sargam Krishna

Subscribe to Good Garbage Podcast on Apple Podcasts

Subscribe to Good Garbage Podcast on YouTube: @goodgarbage

Follow us on Instagram: @goodgarbagepodcast

Good Garbage Podcast, Ved Krishna, Samantha Davies, EcoSafe Zero Waste, Sustainability, Circular Economy, Composting, Compostable Packaging, Regenerative Agriculture, Systems Change, India Sustainability, India's Future, Family Business, Innovation, Technology, Modernization, Legacy, Future Vision, Waste Diversion, Zero Waste, Environmental Advocacy, Cleantech, Climate Action, Sustainable Branding, Green Innovation, Soil Regeneration, Nature Connection, Ayurvedic Medicine, Herbalism, Waste Management, Growth Strategy, Global Sustainability

Hello, hello! This week - the Good Garbage podcast welcomes back the in-person interview - with Avantika Saraogi on the show! A visionary, Avantika is manufacturing PLA from sugarcane at BCML, where she is the executive director.

She doesn't only oversee PLA production but also heads the entire sugarcane operation. From sugarcane development, procurement, grower relations, strategy, technology, mechanization, down to digitalization of the entire value chain.

Avantika is dedicated to PLA because of it's compostability - especially in sustainable packaging.

She sat down with Ved to about her business and her vision for innovation and growth - through the lens of sustainability. But the two also beyond that - speaking on preserving her family's legacy, while also embracing new opportunities.

Join host Ved Krishna as he learns from inspiring guests and experts in the industry of sustainable packaging about ways to leave the planet cleaner and answer what is #GoodGarbage?

Check out the Good Garbage podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen to podcasts about making the planet cleaner! Check out more on our journey! Get involved at pakka.com

#composting #sustainability #packaging #environment #compostable #environmentalart

Producer: Alex Moore

Video Producer: Sargam Krishna

Subscribe to Good Garbage Podcast on Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Subscribe to Good Garbage Podcast on YouTube: / @goodgarbage

Follow us on Instagram: / goodgarbagepodcast

Send us your questions by texting us at 971-533-5338, or email alex.moore@pakka.com

Good Garbage Podcast, Ved Krishna,family business, innovation, growth, sustainability, technology, modernization, legacy, future vision, opportunities, commitment, India, India Sustainability, Good Garbage, composting, compostable packaging, regenerative agriculture

Hello, hello! It's Good Garbage News! Every month, in addition to our regular episodes with Ved's interviews, we'll post an industry update with the latest updates in both sustainable packaging and packaging regulations all across the world.

Never miss an episode by following us on all our socials by clicking on the link below!

⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast⁠⁠⁠

Hosted by Alex Moore

#composting #sustainability #packaging #environment #innovation #compostable

Producer: Alex Moore

Video Producer: Sargam Krishna

Subscribe to Good Garbage Podcast on Apple Podcasts: ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-garbage-with-ved-krishna/id1613337676⁠

Subscribe to Good Garbage Podcast on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@GoodGarbage⁠

Follow us on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/goodgarbagepodcast/⁠

Send us your questions by texting us at 971-533-5338, or email ⁠alex.moore@pakka.com⁠

Environmental Art, Activism, Photography, Storytelling, Collaboration, Sustainability, Creative Process, Impactful Art, Climate Change, Personal Journey, composting, organic farming, chemical fertilizers, waste management, sustainability, soil health, compostable packaging, environmental impact, data collection, agricultural practices composting, US Composting Council, commercial composting, compostable packaging, soil health, organic waste recycling, composting industry, sustainable waste management, landfills, policy, packaging policy, garbage, garbage cleanup, beach clean up, India, waste collection, sustainable packaging podcast

Hello, hello! In this episode, Benjamin Von Wong shares his journey from a traditional upbringing to becoming an environmental artist and activist. He reflects on the influence of his parents' stable lifestyle, his unexpected path into photography, and his transition into environmentalism.

Benjamin also discusses the challenges and rewards of using art to communicate complex issues, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and storytelling in his work. He explores the balance between highlighting problems and inspiring change, aiming to create meaningful impact through his art.

Join host Ved Krishna as he learns from inspiring guests and experts in the industry of sustainable packaging about ways to leave the planet cleaner and answer what is #GoodGarbage?

Check out the Good Garbage podcast on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen to podcasts about making the planet cleaner!

Check out more on our journey! Get involved at pakka.com

#composting #sustainability #packaging #environment #innovation #compostable

Producer: Alex Moore

Video Producer: Sargam Krishna

Subscribe to Good Garbage Podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-garbage-with-ved-krishna/id1613337676

Subscribe to Good Garbage Podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoodGarbage

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goodgarbagepodcast/

Send us your questions by texting us at 971-533-5338, or email alex.moore@pakka.com

Environmental Art, Activism, Photography, Storytelling, Collaboration, Sustainability, Creative Process, Impactful Art, Climate Change, Personal Journey, composting, organic farming, chemical fertilizers, waste management, sustainability, soil health, compostable packaging, environmental impact, data collection, agricultural practices composting, US Composting Council, commercial composting, compostable packaging, soil health, organic waste recycling, composting industry, sustainable waste management, landfills, policy, packaging policy, garbage, garbage cleanup, beach clean up, India, waste collection, sustainable packaging podcast

Hello, hello! It's Good Garbage News! Every month, in addition to our regular episodes with Ved's interviews, we'll post an industry update with the latest updates in both sustainable packaging and packaging regulations all across the world.

Never miss an episode by following us on all our socials by clicking on the link below!

⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/goodgarbagepodcast⁠⁠

Hosted by Alex Moore