In this episode, we dive deep—literally and figuratively—into the ocean's potential to regenerate food systems and tackle food waste. We speak with Pia Winberg, the visionary behind Venus Shell Systems, a company transforming nutrient waste into valuable food and agricultural products using seaweed.
Pia takes us on a journey that started with planetary systems theory and ended up in large-scale seaweed cultivation. Venus Shell Systems captures nitrogen and other nutrients from food industry emissions—like those from wheat processing—and uses seaweed to convert them into high-protein, mineral-rich ingredients. These seaweed products not only reduce coastal pollution but also enhance health and sustainability in our diets.
The conversation explores how seaweed farming in controlled coastal pools can yield zero-waste, protein-rich biomass while reoxygenating water and protecting marine ecosystems. Pia explains the science behind it, including how one kilo of seaweed can absorb 50g of nitrogen and 1.5kg of carbon dioxide—while producing just as much oxygen.
They also discuss the challenges of communicating complex environmental benefits in a soundbite-driven world and why integrating regeneration into mainstream food systems—like pasta with 10% seaweed—could free up a million hectares of land in Australia alone.
🌿 Seaweed isn’t just sushi anymore—it’s a climate solution hiding in plain sight.
As always, if you have questions, feedback, or a story about how you’re reducing food waste, we’d love to hear from you. Drop us an email at foodwastematters@honeyandfox.com.au. And if you want to check out all our previous head to your favourite podcast channel and search for Food Waste Matters.
More about Pia:
The passionate founder of Venus Shell Systems, Pia has been working across both the marine industry and academia for the past 15 years and has a background in marine systems ecology. Her career has spanned both academic research and industry innovation in the fields of coastal and estuarine ecology, fisheries and sustainable aquaculture systems. Pia’s main research is in marine food production systems that are sustainably integrated with the coastal and marine environment and, as such, her published research efforts span aquaculture and sustainable estuarine systems.
Links
https://www.venusshellsystems.com.au/
https://www.honeyandfox.com.au/
https://thegreatunwaste.com.au/
https://www.instagram.com/phycohealth/
https://www.instagram.com/foodwastematters_podcast/
https://www.instagram.com/honey_and_fox/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreatunwaste/
https://www.instagram.com/endfoodwasteaus/
https://www.facebook.com/p/Pia-Winberg-100011633761009/
https://www.facebook.com/HoneyandFox/
https://www.facebook.com/thegreatunwaste/
https://www.facebook.com/EndFoodWasteAus/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pia-winberg-37049930/
https://au.linkedin.com/company/honey-&-fox-pty-ltd
https://au.linkedin.com/company/endfoodwasteaus