Industrial waste has been piling up at an alarming rate, as construction and demolition activities make up around a third of the world’s waste. But what if we could turn this waste into something valuable so it doesn’t all end up in landfills and, instead, gets a second life? Mycocycle, a Chigago-based biotech startup, wants to solve this problem using mushrooms.
Mycocycle was founded in 2018 by Joanna Rodrigues, who recognized the potential of fungi to address the growing issue of industrial waste. Over the past few years, the mycelium of certain species of fungi have been shown to possess the remarkable ability to break down complex materials like plastics, textiles, and even nuclear pollution. By using these natural capabilities, Mycocycle has transformed industrial waste into valuable, eco-friendly materials.
To do so, the company inoculates old industrial waste with a special mushroom called white-rot fungus, which contains enzymes that degrade waste into simpler, nontoxic compounds. Waste, like drywall, is crushed and processed with the fungi that feed on it for several weeks. The end result: a range of eco-friendly products like biobased insulation, sustainable construction composites, and other reusable components. These mycelium-made materials are lightweight, durable, and even fire and water-resistant, making them an excellent option for recycling back into the building industry. Once the fungus has completely colonized the waste, it’s neutralized to halt its growth.
Recently, Mycocycle demonstrated its process by successfully growing its fungi on the remnants of scrap drywall left behind from the construction of a metadata center. The fungi were able to consume the paper that covers the drywall, but not the gypsum and rubber, which were instead encased in the fungi’s mycelium and can be processed once again to reduce it further. The company is working towards fine-tuning its process and eventually plans to recycle crumb rubber, a byproduct of old tires.
This circular economy process rethinks how we produce and consume goods and can offer a viable solution for waste management. By continuously reusing and recycling resources, companies like Mycocycle are reducing the need for new raw materials and limiting the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. With a little help from mushrooms, a bit of creativity, and the right technology, Mycocycle is proving that sustainable solutions can come from the most unexpected places and can solve some of our biggest environmental challenges.
