Traditional polystyrene packing materials have a detrimental effect on the environment, since they take thousands of years to break down. In a bid to reduce waste and encourage recycling, IKEA is now using biodegradable ‘fungi packaging’ to pack and ship its homewares.

Tipa – a sustainable packaging company – is launching its biodegradable plastic in the UK. It claims the material has the same end-of-life properties as organic materials, simultaneously providing the durability and shelf life that’s come to be expected of plastic packaging.

Packaging doesn't just protect contents and indicate ingredients – it now talks like we're best friends. It’s friendly, cheery and even cheeky. But do we really want our food and beauty products to hit on us? What makes successful chatty packaging, and when do we want it to shut up?

Between 30% and 50% of the world’s food is wasted. As food concerns and interest in ethical living continues to grow, are we becoming more open to eating less-than-perfect ‘ugly fruit’ or dining at a ‘past its sell-by date’ restaurant? But is food waste really good enough to eat?