The curious scene of the race in the English capital: the marathoners consuming small bubbles full of energy drinks produced by the young startup Ooho.
The biodegradable capsules are composed of bioplastics derived from marine algae and decompose within 4 to 6 weeks, without damaging the environment.
Small biodegradable capsules filled with energy drinks instead of traditional plastic bottles: the innovative solution launched by Ooho was tested during the last London marathon.
The capsules developed by Ooho are composed of a bioplastic derived from algae that the young founders of the startup, Rodrigo García González and Pierre Paslier, called Notpla.
They have already been used in other sporting events or in music festivals and concerts for drinks and cocktails. The production can be carried out directly on site, thanks to a small transportable machinery developed by Ooho.
The capsules were distributed to the runners that passed through the supply point located at mile 23 of the marathon: the capsules could be swallowed intact or bend to extract the liquid, an energy drink supplied by Lucozade Sport. Bubbles thrown to the ground must decompose in 4-6 weeks, the same time it takes for the shell of the fruit to decompose.
Only last year, organizers of the London Marathon estimated that 760 thousand plastic bottles were consumed among runners and spectators. As of 2019, the intention is to reduce the number to 215,000 bottles, hence the option to experiment with biodegradable Ooho capsules, but also reduce the number of service stations (from 26 to 19) and add two points in which to offer athletes drink in compostable containers.
Bottles thrown in the districts of Tower Hamlets, Greenwich and Southwark were also collected, then taken to a recycling plant specializing in the manufacture of new bottles.
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