A new study from South Dakota State University, US, has transformed grapevine canes into transparent, biodegradable films. The approach aims to reduce plastic waste pollution while creating new revenue streams for farmers and conserving natural resources. Grapevine canes are major woody berry crops that generate substantial winter pruning waste, containing approximately 35% cellulose. In the study, published in Sustainable Food Technology, researchers extracted this cellulose using alkaline (10% potassium hydroxide) and bleaching (10% sodium chlorite) treatments. It was then solubilized in a zinc chloride solution, crosslinked with calcium ions, and plasticized with glycerol to develop films.