In the future, when someone implores a dining companion to "finish off the meal," it just might mean that they are expected to eat the plate and cutlery, too.

This is what Katsuhiko Sakakibara, the managing director of Marushige Seika, a confectionery company in Hekinan, Aichi Prefecture, has in mind. His goal is to help reduce the amount of plastic waste around the globe.

"If edible crockery became prevalent throughout society and replaced plastic, it would bring about a serious environmental benefit," Sakakibara says.