Styrofoam has become ubiquitous in the modern age of consumerism, and even synonymous with packaging. But containing toxic chemicals such as benzene and styrene, which aren’t biodegradable and can linger for up to 500 years, it’s not just bad for the environment, it’s also long been known as a hazardous substance and has many ties to cancer.
This is why Boey Tze Zhou, the founder of Eko Agro Biotech, saw an opportunity to use his mushroom farming waste as an alternative to styrofoam.
Unlike styrofoam, mushroom packaging consists of 100% biodegradable and renewable material that can be disposed of in garden beds and flower pots.
It grows in a lab in only eight days, and absorbs into the soil in under two months.
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Mycelium, the scientific term for mushroom roots, is infused into recycled sawdust during the procedure. It acts as a natural superglue that binds and holds together organic materials.
Within five days of combining the byproducts (including the secret ingredient), the mycelium will have completely colonised the entire container, which can be shaped to accommodate various packaging needs. Three additional days are required for the substance to dry and solidify further.
