The Story of Ooho: How an Edible Bubble Could Help End Plastic Waste

May 19, 2025

What if you could not only drink the water, but eat the packaging too?It sounds like something from the future, but it's happening right now, thanks to Ooho, our revolutionary seaweed-based packaging that's helping turn the tide on single-use plastic.

In a world drowning in plastic waste, Ooho offers a radically different solution: a natural, edible membrane that holds liquids like water, juice, cocktails and even energy gels, and then simply vanishes without a trace. It's packaging that follows nature's own brilliant design.

Cocktail Oohos

The Origin of Ooho: A Problem Worth Solving

Rodrigo Garcia Gonzalez, our co-founder at Notpla, has long been fascinated with solving the plastic crisis from unexpected angles. His journey began in architecture, where he experimented with building structures from discarded plastic bottles. But even then, a realisation struck: recycling alone wouldn't be enough to create meaningful environmental impact.

During his studies, Rodrigo met co-founder Pierre Paslier, and together, a new vision began to take shape. Inspired by nature's own ingenious packaging, the protective peel of a fruit, the clever shell of a seed - they asked a simple but powerful question:

What if packaging could behave more like nature itself?

Meet Ooho: Edible, Compostable, and Completely Disruptive

The answer emerged as Ooho, a seaweed-based capsule that can contain virtually any liquid. It's 100% natural, biodegradable, and yes, entirely edible. No more plastic bottles, wrappers, or sachets polluting our oceans. Just a bubble of hydration that disappears after use.

"When people experience it for the first time," Rodrigo explains, "they go, 'Oh!' That's why we named it Ooho."

From Kitchen Experiments to Global Impact

Like many great innovations, Ooho began in a humble kitchen. Rodrigo and Pierre started experimenting with everything from mojitos to guacamole. When they shared these early prototypes online, the response was electric: millions of views, global interest, and a community hungry for meaningful change.

They quickly scaled from creating tens of Oohos daily to thousands. A pivotal moment arrived in 2019 when Notpla replaced plastic cups at the London Marathon, proving that our alternative packaging could perform brilliantly under real-world pressure.

Handtmann machine

Trusted by Global Brands. Ready to Scale.

Since then, we've collaborated with leading global names like Tropicana, Lucozade, and Glenlivet - integrating Ooho into everything from alcohol tastings to sports hydration stations. Now, in partnership with equipment specialists Handtmann, we've developed next-generation machines capable of producing millions of Oohos daily.

"We're not just dreaming anymore," says Rodrigo. "We've built the product. We've built the machine. And now, we're ready to replace single-use plastic at scale."

Applications Beyond Water

Ooho isn't limited to drinks. Our technology works wonderfully across a wide range of liquid and semi-liquid products, including:

  • Energy gels for athletes on the move
  • Honey and sauces for food service
  • Yogurts and condiments
  • Frozen treats and desserts

With each new application, the opportunity to eliminate waste grows, creating a more regenerative packaging ecosystem.

A Future Without Waste Starts Here

Ooho offers a glimpse into a world where packaging doesn't have to harm our planet. A world where products work in harmony with nature, not against it.

At Notpla, we believe the future of packaging isn't just biodegradable, it's regenerative. And we're inviting brands, creators, and change-makers to join us in this transformation.

It’s a small pod with an extremely big potential. From drinks, energy gels, honeys, frozen applications and many more, Ooho is open to partners ready to lead the change.

Get in touch with our team today.

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