Natural, Renewable, Biodegradable

By using mycelium and agricultural by-products, we utilize materials that are environmentally low-impact, 100 percent biodegradable and renewable, and are part of a healthy ecosystem. Unlike other bio-plastics, our technology isn’t based on turning food or fuel crops into materials; we’re only using inedible crop waste to grow our products. The final biodegradable materials we produce have a variety of end-of-life options, including home composting. From the materials we choose to the way it is produced, we ensure our materials are part of a truly sustainable future.

Life Cycle Assessment

We’ve used Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) tools like SimaPro while designing our manufacturing system, to optimize every step. A peer reviewed LCA will be available on this site soon. The way we produce mushroom materials uses significantly less energy than the manufacturing of synthetic foams. This is because we harness mycelium’s ability to self assemble from lignin and cellulose into strong bio-composites. We can actually grow our material at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Our manufacturing facility in Green Island, NY is powered by carbon neutral hydroelectric power.

Eco-Friendly Disposal

From beginning to end, our materials fit into nature’s recycling system. Composting, mulching, or throwing away Mushroom® Packaging are all environmentally sound options of disposal because our product is made of natural materials that belong in a healthy ecosystem. Even when plastic packaging is recycled (and it seldom is), the polymers degrade and are “down-cycled” into lower grade materials. Many bio-plastics have come under criticism because they require  high temperature conditions found only in industrial composting facilities to break down. There is limited industrial composting capacity, and many of these facilities do not accept bio-plastics. Our mushroom materials are home compostable, meaning they will break down safely right in your own back yard!

People, Planet, Profit

Ecovative’s  founding principle is a triple bottom line. This means that in addition to generating profits, we strive to create products which are good for our planet, and benefit the people who use them and make them. We work diligently to minimize our environmental impacts in our offices and production facilities. When sourcing materials, engineering equipment, and setting up production sites, we assess the environmental impact at each stage. Ecovative is committed to building a business that is not just sustainable, but actually makes the planet a better place for all organisms on Earth.