Mushrooms may soon play a larger role in sustainable packaging. Researchers and manufacturers are developing materials made from mycelium, the rootlike network of fungi, as an alternative to petroleum-based foam.

Mycelium is grown through agricultural waste such as straw, sawdust or plant husks, naturally binding the fibers into a lightweight material. It can be molded into protective shapes for shipping and packaging, then heated to stop further growth.

Studies suggest mycelium packaging may reduce environmental impacts compared with expanded polystyrene, while also giving agricultural waste a second use. Challenges remain, including moisture sensitivity, production speed and cost. Still, the ability to grow biodegradable packaging rather than manufacture it from fossil fuels makes mycelium a promising example of circular design.