Algae and Mycelium: A sustainable green alternatives of plastic

 

Nearly 300 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced every year (UNEP)

According to UNEP(United Nations Environment Programme) data, nearly 300 million tonnes of plastic waste are produced every year, which takes around 500-1,000 years for plastics to decompose.

Plastics are found in almost all products today from electronics and automobiles to medical equipment and consumer goods from which 91% of plastic is often non-biodegradable and non-recyclable.

Now, researchers and environmentalists  finding greener solutions to avoid plastic pollution, Algae and Mycelium could be the better alternatives.

Algae Is the plant-based, nontoxic alternative of plastic,

Algae are simple plants that can range from the microscopic (microalgae), to large seaweeds (macroalgae), such as giant kelp more than one hundred feet in length.

They have no roots, stem or leaves in some cases, produced in freshwater typically lakes  and seawater with high yields and short cultivation times, plus the potential to sequester carbon dioxide in the process.

Algae produce with high yields and short cultivation times

Algae can be used for a variety of purposes including industrial products, food, and pharmaceuticals. It absorbs carbon, and it is abundant and renewable. Algae bioplastic is used in sequin dresses, raincoats, skis, food packaging, and filaments for 3D printing. It regenerates quickly, and as one of the most abundant plants on the planet.

Algae polymer can be used to manufacture any number of products from shampoo bottles and tableware to trash cans and 100% sustainable biodegradable algae footwears, used for packaging too . The innovative process could completely replace products made from fossil fuels and could finally provide the world with a viable green alternative to plastic.

So why are algae bioplastics superior?,

-Algae-derived bioplastics have identical properties and characteristics as petroleum-based plastics

-Algae based Bioplastics take less time to break down. While some petroleum based plastics take thousands of years to break down and return to Mother Nature, this means plastic products will no longer clog our landfills for generations to come.

Variety of products can be made by algae

-Algae Bioplastics are renewable- Unlike conventional plastics, bio plastics are made from trees, plants, grass, and lately, algae is showing great promise.

-Algae Bioplastics require less energy to produce.

-Algae Bioplastics are easier to recycle.

- Algae Bioplastics are not toxic.

-Bioplastics reduce our dependency on foreign oil. Not only does it reduce our dependence on foreign oil but it provides a domestic solution.

Mycelium, a sustainable replacement of plastic,

According to BIS Research, the global mycelium market was valued at $2.48 billion in 2020 and is predicted to rise at a 7.7% CAGR to $3.84 billion by 2026.

Mycelium, the root-like structure of mushrooms, not only produces little molecules but also softly and precisely assembles them into intricate structures that are undetectable to the naked eye.

Mycelium is the vegan roots of fungus

Mycelium can reduce important global problems, such as plastic pollution, industrial agriculture or textile waste. It is a safe, strong, and biodegradable material with a wide range of uses. However, unlike plastics and other synthetic materials, which can take hundreds of years to decompose, mycelium-based products naturally degrade after their intended product cycle.

Mycelium’s fast-growing fibers produce materials used for packaging, clothing, food and construction—everything from leather to plant-based steak to scaffolding for growing organs. (Image dezeen.com)

In practice, mycelium can be used to create a variety of things, from organic plastics to scaffolding that can be used to grow organs, though its most common and useful commercial application is in the form of packaging. Around 40 percent of plastic is used for food packaging every year. Mycelium packaging has been rigorously tested to be thermally insulative as well as water resistant. This process contributes to a reduction of CO2 emissions in the agricultural and packaging industry to rethink agricultural waste. Infact, most mycelium is safe to eat and totally edible.

Bricks made with mycelium

Mycelium provides a robust, sustainable alternative to plastic foams, such as polystyrene. Rather than break down into microbeads harmful to wildlife and marine habitats, the mycelium packaging breaks down into useful nutrients for the soil. This is what it means to be bio-contributing.

Mycelium is also Nature’s biggest recycler. It breaks down toxins, such as plastic or oil, turning them into available nourishment to help other living organisms thrive.

Mycelium can be used to make building materials fire-resistant, stronger, and lighter. It can also be used in the fashion industry to mimic the look, texture, and utility of leather. In some cases, it can even be used as a bonding agent for building materials, such as brick.

The Growing Pavilion, which was created for Dutch Design Week is constructed with mycelium panels. Set on a timber frame, the panels are grown from mushrooms and then covered in an organic sealant originally developed by the Inca people. (Photograph: Eric Meander)

Different mycelium densities can be grown together seamlessly, making it a natural fire-resistant material, which can replace plastics, wood, concrete and polymers easily. This material can be moulded for forms that correspond to both exteriors and interiors, in terms of façades, furniture pieces and even walls.

New York-based biotech startup Ecovative believes mycelium could play a major role in construction, as mycelium building materials are both insulative and structural and can be used in the same ways as conventional building material.