Mushroom packaging – the next big thing in sustainable packaging

Last Updated on Friday 24th Jun 2022

With the 2021 COP26 conference calling this “a critical decade,” as we urgently look to control climate change, carbon dioxide emissions, fossil fuels and the use of plastics are hot topics.

And as we look more closely at the footprints created by products in our daily lives, packaging has come under increasing scrutiny. When you factor in production, transport, usage and recycling or waste management, packaging can be a significant source of greenhouse emissions.

Increasingly, businesses are looking to new eco-friendly packaging solutions to lower the carbon footprint of their products, help to meet their sustainability goals and to achieve a competitive advantage, as they look to better connect with increasingly environmentally focused consumers.

From paper bubble wrap to boxes made from corn starch, innovative new sustainable packaging solutions are hitting the market. And when furniture giant Ikea announced their commitment to using an emerging bio-material back in 2019, it really caught the eye of the industry.

Fast forward to 2021, and mushroom packaging is the next big thing in sustainable packaging.

What is mushroom packaging?

A ground-breaking alternative to polystyrene and foam packaging, mushroom packaging is a biodegradable and 100% plastic-free solution made from mycelium, the roots of mushrooms. Processed with hemp hurds, previously considered a waste by-product, mushroom packaging is a smart, efficient and commercially viable way to reduce the use of plastic packaging.

What are the benefits of mushroom packaging?

Mushroom packaging brings benefits to business, to the end consumer and to the environment.

Created within a week, it can be custom moulded to fit a range of products at a fraction of the cost of foam packaging. It is both flame and water resistant, suitable for a wide range of shipping needs, and is fully biodegradable, making it a wise choice for any business looking to explore cost-effective sustainable packaging options.

Because mushroom packaging is made with only two naturally occurring ingredients, it is home compostable within 40-45 days – all the customer needs to do is break it up and add it to their compost bin, or even scatter it on their flowerbeds. We can feel the sighs of relief from people across the country, fed up of attempting to squeeze foam packaging into wheelie bins or spending their Saturdays in a queue at the local waste and recycling centre!

And, of course, this all means that it is a much better solution for the environment. Requiring no post-processing or industrial breakdown, it utilises waste products to create an effective sustainable packaging solution that ultimately returns to nourish the earth. A true circular product!

If you’re thinking about incorporating sustainable packaging into your business, we can help. We can advise on the best solutions to suit your products. Just get in touch.