Livegreen Blog

EcoCradle Mushroom Packaging developed by Ecovative Design provides an environmentally-friendly alternative to the ubiquitous polystyrene foam in packaging. Rather than following a traditional production process, agricultural waste is used to grow fungal mycelium (mushroom roots) into packaging which is natural, biodegradable and compostable.

After evaluating the packaging needs of a certain product, “grow trays” are developed. The trays are kept in the dark for the duration of the growth, anywhere from four to ten days, and no petrochemicals are added. EcoCradle is then heat-treated to eliminate spores.
 
This production method requires far less energy than manufacturing synthetic foams, as the material is grown. This environmentally responsible packaging system has been experimented by such companies as Dell, Steelcase and NOAA, and received an honorable mention in Material ConneXion’s Material of the Year 2010 competition.
 

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