University Students Turn Food Waste into Canine Toothpaste
Students attending the University of Hong Kong’s (HKU) School of Biological Sciences recently took part in a unique program encouraging the transformation of food waste into viable food-based products. The competition is part of the “Food Waste to Good Taste” innovation program, which encourages upcycling and sustainability.
Organized in collaboration with GREEN Hospitality, the six-month program prods students to rethink food waste by taking part in workshops, seminars, and food audits, culminating in a competition where students unveil their ideas.
Innovation Through Upcycling
“It was a learning curve for them because they’ve never done this before,” Dr. Jetty Lee, an associate professor at HKU and part of the team leading the program, stated.
In addition to coming up with an upcycled product using food waste, they have to develop a workable plan to actually bring it to market.
It all boiled down to eight teams presenting their ideas to professionals working in Hong Kong’s food & beverage and hospitality or service industries. Winners of the group competition are said to have received certificates and cash prizes sponsored by Veolia Hong Kong and The Marriott Group.
Doggy Toothpaste
The winning entry turned out to be a clever but likely smelly toothpaste for dogs that the participants named Upcycleista. Created by combining food scraps that included shrimp heads and their shells, carrot peels, pork bones, and eggshells, the invention saw the team win a cash prize of HK$5,000.
The nutrients contained in the food scraps used inspired the team members to develop the canine toothpaste, which claims to be able to whiten and strengthen the animals’ teeth. The minerals contained within are calcium carbonate from the shrimp and egg shells, as well as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium sourced from the pork bones.
Girl Power
The young women behind the canine tooth scrub are Gloria Chan Nok-yi and Anson Ho Ka-wing, final-year students in HKU’s food and nutrition program. After reflecting on what they learned during the competition, Chan stated, “The most meaningful takeaway for me was the chance to learn more about food waste upcycling in Hong Kong, which I wasn’t familiar with. Now, I [can] explore an alternative career path,” she added.
Ho noted, “I think the key experience was the brainstorming process. It helped us enhance our creative abilities and learn more about recycling food waste.”
There’s no word on if or when Upcycleista will ever hit the market here in the United States, but it is recommended that you regularly brush your pets’ teeth to avoid future dental and health issues that can impede their ability to eat, leave them in pain, and ultimately shorten their already brief lives.
