Charles Ho

How Viable is Mycelium Packaging as a Sustainable Alternative to Styrofoam from an Economic and Environmental Perspective?

Started Sept. 24, 2024

Abstract or project description

Styrofoam packaging—widely used for its low cost, insulation, and high durability—has become impossible to ignore. The manufacture of styrofoam releases large amounts of ozone into the atmosphere, causing substantial damage to plants and forests and health complications, including respiratory issues. Chemicals in styrofoam in landfills leach into water sources, harming aquatic species and potentially impacting human health through bioaccumulation—an increase in the concentration of a chemical over time due to it failing to be metabolized. As styrofoam production and use continues, ecological balance continues to be disrupted, bringing forth concerns of ecosystem collapse. Contrarily, mycelium-based packaging is gaining traction due to its potential as a more sustainable, low-impact solution. It involves growing the mycelium in a mold to create a desired shape then dehydrating it into a dense material. Considering both environmental and economic factors, this paper assesses the viability of mycelium-based packaging as a sustainable alternative to styrofoam. By evaluating consumer behaviours and social acceptance, production costs, scalability, and environmental impacts of the entire production and disposal process, this study seeks to reveal that in time, mycelium packaging will be able to match the cost-efficiency of styrofoam production. It is hypothesized that eventually, mycelium packaging will supersede traditional styrofoam as the dominant packaging material in the market.