But a student at the University of East Anglia (UEA) may have found a sustainable, seaweed-based solution.

Penelope Helbest’s new start-up, Kelpy, is an eco-friendly sexual wellness company centred on plastic-free, biodegradable pregnancy tests made from a seaweed-based material.

Penelope Helbest (Image: Supplied)

The start-up aims to find plastic-free alternatives to reduce landfill waste and support ocean conservation.

Ms Helbest, who is currently studying a master's in creative writing at the university, has been backed by the UEA’s Student Enterprise, securing the top £2,000 prize in its 2026 Change Makers competition to develop her business further.

“Fifteen million pregnancy tests are discarded into landfill each year in the UK - for now I can aim at reducing how many of them are plastic," she said.

“Maybe one day, none of them will be. I hope Kelpy causes ripples in the industry, even beyond pregnancy diagnostics.”

Kelpy's 100pc plastic-free, biodegradable pregnancy tests are made from a seaweed-based material (Image: Supplied)

Kelpy takes its name from the seaweed-based material at the heart of the idea.

“Norfolk has a lot going on to do with seaweed farming – I’d love to be able to source everything here,” she said.

“As an East Anglian, I want to keep things local. It’s easy to farm and not as carbon-intensive as other methods, so I believe it would be a good burgeoning industry to help along.”

The UEA offers £500 ‘Try It’ grants and £2,000 ‘Do It’ grants to help students and new graduates explore an idea or launch a venture.

To date, the university has awarded just under £500,000 in such funding to student and graduate start-ups.

Ms Helbest is now working towards the next stage of development, including refining branding and packaging concepts, conducting further market research, and building partnerships within the growing regional seaweed sector.

© Norwich Evening News