
Packaging has become a vital part of the product lifecycle. Any new product we purchase comes in the packed form either in plastic or box or foil. But this trend is changing as people prefer biodegradable or natural packaging. Mushroom packaging is also included in it. Mushroom packaging is usually made by cultivating fungi on the medium of husk, hulls and woody biomass of different agriculture waste including rice, soy, and cotton. The waste material acts as the substrate on which fungal mycelium is added. The packaging material which arises from mycelia and waste is strong, light in weight, biodegradable, and durable for a long time. This packaging is used in organic fertilizers. Mushroom packaging needs a sterile environment to prevent fungal infection. The packaging material which is made up of agriculture waste and mushroom root further reduces energy track with sterilizing technology. For instance, after three years of struggle, Ecovative succeeded in creating mushroom packaging in 2009, which is the cost-effective solution as compared to Styrofoam (polystyrene). The company won several awards which made it come on the 2015 Forbes '30 under 30' list of top young innovators in the category of Manufacturing and Industry. In addition, the company secured 4 million USD for the expansion of its natural wood line product known as MycoBoard, which acts as an alternative to plywood and other products for manufacturing of furniture and building materials.