Packaging Just Got More Innovative, Thanks to Mushrooms

We’ve long championed more sustainable alternatives to un-recyclable packaging, such as our recyclable polypropylene options, along with recyclable sleeves for our Digital Direct Mail campaigns – which customers are able to return to us free of charge.

That’s why we’re excited to see a new innovation in the packaging world in the form of mushroom-derived biodegradable packaging, a plastic-free option which can be broken up and placed to biodegrade on home compost heaps and flowerbeds.

The Magical Mushroom Company has announced its new packaging offers the same performance to traditional polystyrene, and can be used for goods including cookers, cosmetics and many other consumer products.

The technology behind the packaging, mycelium composite technology, is the brainchild of US firm Ecovative Design LLC, which takes post-processing waste from agricultural products and combines it with mycelium, using the result in 3D packaging moulds. These moulds are then baked until the mixture hardens. The entire process takes a total of 14 days.

According to the Magical Mushroom Company, the packaging produced is 100% biodegradable, breaking down in soil within 40 days – and also breaks down in water in 180 days.

Paul Gilligan, the founder and CEO, commented, “We’re thrilled to be open for business and excited by how quickly we’re scaling up our production and securing ever bigger contracts.”