Proposal for a sustainable alternative to reduce the use of expanded polystyrene in packaging, using a prototype that utilizes coffee grounds and fish scales.

This work proposes a sustainable alternative to reduce the use of expanded polystyrene (PE) in packaging, developing a prototype based on coffee grounds and fish scales. PE, widely used for its low cost and versatility, generates serious environmental impacts because it takes centuries to decompose, releases toxic substances, and contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. In Colombia, consumption of plastics like PE is high, and its improper disposal affects both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Although there are initiatives to reuse PE, most focus on giving it a secondary use in sectors such as construction and the automotive industry, without addressing the underlying problem of its environmental persistence.