Some interesting solarpunk tech to start your week – fungus-based materials are coming online as a simple, biodegradable alternative to styrofoam and leather. They’re currently in the market as handbags, flooring and sound-proofing acoustic panels. It’s also been experimentally used to build larger structures such as benches, coffins, composting toilets and even buildings. Take a look at this video and think about what we could do in a world without plastic waste:
How Does It Work?
According to cbc.ca, mycelium is cultivated in bags in greenhouses before being molded into different shapes. The fungi need water and nutrients, and are grown with high levels of CO2 to encourage them to grow outward in search of oxygen. Once ready, the mycelium is usually dehydrated and processed with machines and chemicals to improve the density, strength, elasticity and texture. That also means the mycelium is heat treated long before it reaches the customer in order to kill it, maintain the product’s intended form and eliminate the risk that it could form mushrooms and allergens such as spores.
Growing mycelium is, in itself, a green technology. You let it grow in a cavity filled with neutral materials like straw or chaff and within one or two days you will end up with your packaging material, statue or whatever you had in mind. Then you your object by heating it, and you have the greenest of all materials possible.
Okay, Yeah, But Really?
Yeah, this is really a cool cleantech alternative to all kinds of household products. Mycelium-based products are hitting the market as we speak. Stella “Paul’s Daughter” McCartney has a handbag coming out made with green, no-leather mycelium next month.
But wait, there’s more! Mycelium can produce greener-building materials, sustainable clothing, disposable healthcare products and insulation. Some companies are experimenting with mycelium bricks as building materials, others grow mycelium in a mineral-rich environment, because when you do, the fungus naturally creates mineralized, fire-resistant insulation panels.
Fungus-Based Plastics Are Solarpunk Tech
Whenever we talk about making our future together, it’s important to watch technology that not only makes the world better, it creates jobs! Seriously, anyone who works in a plastics factory could pivot with little or no training over to a factory producing mycelium-based products. Imagine being able to offer that to thousands of families who lost their jobs due to factory automation or other economic changes. It’s awesome to contemplate that kind of future!
I hope you enjoyed this Solarpunk Tech breakdown of products that, well, naturally break down. I’ve got to get back to the novel. Have a great week! 🙂
