Company Creates Biodegradable Packaging Out of Mushrooms as an Alternative To Styrofoam

A company called Ecovative Design is looking to help our planet by creating a new packaging solution that’s a safe alternative to styrofoam.

The packaging is made out of two ingredients: hemp hurds and the vegetative part of a fungus called mycelium. The two ingredients are combined to form a biocomposite and then heat-treated.

It can be used to package anything from makeup to heavy furniture … and most important of all — it’s 100% home-compostable.

When you’re done opening your package, just toss the material in your garden. In a matter of weeks, it will break down and add nutrients to the soil and plants!

Check out this video …

Styrofoam, like all plastics, is a petrochemical. It comes from petroleum which is known to cause health problems, including hematologic, immunological, and renal disorders. It also has ties to cancer!

The material crumbles easily and because it’s so light, it’s very easy to end up in our rivers where it makes its way into the ocean … and once it’s there, forget about it — it’s there for centuries.

The styrofoam industry is ranked as the 5th largest creator of toxic waste in the U.S. Its production not only continues to destroy the ozone layer, it pollutes the air and causes damage to our lungs.

At Karmagawa and SaveTheReef, we love that creative people are using their brainpower and talents to come up with solutions to protect our planet and animals. We need more of this!

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Have them watch this powerful video …

The director of this video, Amir Zakeri, created a masterclass for anyone in the Karmagawa and SaveTheReef community who would like to tell visual stories about the causes they care about. If you’re interested, here’s 50% off.  

All proceeds go to great causes, so don’t hesitate. Get started now! 

What do you think about this packaging made out of mushrooms? Leave a comment below.

(Cover image: Krasula/Shutterstock)