EcoCradle Mushroom Packaging

This EcoCradle Mushroom Packaging is a great way to package items safely without the need for the chemically made packaging materials. The packaging naturally breaks down in even a garden compost heap, and is created from mycelium growing around agricultural by-products, and so can be grown into any shape desired.

The EcoCradle Mushroom Packaging has been created by Ecovative designs, and it has recently been announced that DELL are trialing the packaging for transporting their servers, which can weigh over 100lbs. The packaging is grown into whatever shape is required quickly. They use agricultural by-products such as buckwheat husks, oat hulls, or cotton burrs to make up the core of the packaging.  It takes only 5 – 7 days, in the dark with no watering and no petrochemical inputs, for the mycelium (fungal network of threadlike cells) to totally bind this core together into strong eco-friendly packaging. The packaging is treated with heat to ensure there will be no more growth or spores.

EcoCradle Mushroom Packaging is totally biodegradable and renewable, making use of inedible crop waste. Unlike many other bio packaging materials it does not use food or fuel crops in its creation and so does not divert resources away from where they are needed. It is a great way to safely package devices, knowing that no matter how the packaging is disposed of it will quickly rot down without any harm to the environment.

Source: iGreenSpot & Ecovative Designs