You Know We Could Just Replace All The Plastic With Mycelium
We must begin the search for alternative substances as hastily as we’re destroying the natural world around us ... and we actually can.
Brianna Gonzalez-Sanchez | a Learn4Life CLMI fellow
What is something micro-sized with an enormous planetary impact? It’s called Mycelium. Of course, like anything micro-sized and known as an organism, you’re probably not familiar with it. Yet, Mycelium is not only an intelligent network system, but it performs as a revolutionary resource despite the lack of awareness of media coverage.
As climate crisis worsens and the impact of non-recyclable metals becomes much more apparent, we must begin the search for alternative substances as hastily as we’re destroying the natural world around us. We actually could, for example, use another substance to build a vast array of products we regularly use such as plastic.
That’s where Mycelium could step in as the alternative. The growth process of Mycelium is a durable and renewable process. It is versatile and it can be used as a biodegradable substitute for many products that are toxic and harmful to both Earth and humans: as we know, plastic is one – but, others we know of are styrofoam, leather, cleaning products, biofuels, and so on.
What is it, again?
Mycelium is the root system of fungi that’s also known as mushroom. Yes: mushroom. This root system is made up of thin fungal strands known as hyphae. Hyphae work to support the growth of fungi. The role that hyphae play as part of a mycelial network is very crucial. An example of mycelium you may be familiar with is the fuzzy mold that grows on expired bread or foods that have been sitting around too long. It can look green, white, orange, black, etc.
Mycelial networks can vary in size, from small and microscopic to very noticeable and large. The Hyphae that makeup the mycelial network system, grow and explore the soil or substrate in which fungi grow. Hyphae secrete digestive enzymes onto their food source, typically organic dead material, and sometimes other living organisms. These digestive enzymes break the food source down into smaller fractions of matter which feed the fungi, plants, and other living organisms which the mycelium interconnects with through its environment.
Though mycelium functions similarly to the root system of plants and trees, it has its differences that make it quite a unique and dynamic root system. Hence, it is called a Mycelial network because it is not the average plant root system. Mycelium can connect and work with other plant root systems including trees. In the wild and out in the open, it can grow far and wide underground, allowing it to connect easily to the plants and trees within its environment. This natural intelligence is known as mycorrhizal (fungus root) networks. The Mycelial network system is not a selfish one, it works to ensure its own survival as well as its fellow plant allies.
Trees and plants produce sugar and fats through the process of photosynthesis. Fungi can absorb these nutrients through its mycelium which is connected to the roots of plants and trees. In exchange, fungi help plants and trees better absorb the water and nutrients from the soil.
An Ultimate Sustainable Alternative
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 25 percent of Styrofoam products end up in landfills. As other experts note, it’s also linked to genetic disorders and certain forms of blood cancers when melted and leaked into our environment. Styrofoam is toxic to the environment, especially when it is burned, it is not biodegradable and it can kill animals immediately when ingested. A number of major U.S. cities and states (such as Colorado, Maryland, Washington and Virginia) have already moved to outright ban styrofoam, with policymakers and advocates also pointing out the disproportionate impact on already distressed Black and Brown populations.
Why do we continue to produce such harmful, toxic, unrenewable, and non-biodegradable material when there are alternatives such as mycelium? Cost is one challenge. The most pressing one, however, is lack of awareness.
Because mycelium is such a sustainable and renewable resource, its use can contribute to the creation of a more circular economy. It can revolutionize the way we produce and use material goods. Mycelium can positively transform the world in a number of innovative ways. It can be used to create eco-friendly building material at low cost and recycle agricultural waste as substrate and nutrition for its growth. This can also reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Mycelium is being used by some clothing manufacturers to produce eco-friendly alternatives to leather. This activity contributes to the reduction of carbon footprint in the fashion industry and the world. Imagine how healthy the world could grow and how much our environments would be protected if we continue to innovate the use of eco-friendly and biodegradable material such as mycelium.
Lawmakers in a number of states are gradually moving towards in this direction by enacting legislation that would explore mycelium-linked compounds such as psilocybin for the purpose of researching the medical benefits from so-called “magic mushrooms.” Still, we need to move faster in the direction of the broader manufacturing benefits. Mycelium is quite extraordinary. It would be a great contributor to the environment it grows in, it’s very eco-friendly, sustainable, and renewable. We know that we’re moving too slow and wasting our time: our global community must awaken to the innovative and organic ways we can begin revitalizing a healthier and greener planet for humanity and for our Mother Earth … before we end up losing everything.