Key Takeaways:
- Innovative Recycling Approach: Ecoroots focuses on a unique form of recycling by using mycelium to create sustainable packaging alternatives to polystyrene and plastics.
- Biodegradable and Non-Toxic: Their flagship product, Biofoam, is a renewable, biodegradable, and non-toxic material, showcasing a commitment to environmentally friendly solutions.
- Versatile Material Development: Ecoroots has developed a process to mold mycelium into any shape, making it suitable for diverse packaging needs.
- Founder’s Background and Vision: Lavanya Bhandari, founder of Ecoroots, leverages her expertise in food chemistry and sustainable materials to drive the company’s innovative strategies.
- Expansion and Collaboration: Ecoroots is expanding its reach by working with local farmers to promote sustainable agriculture and exploring new product lines, such as eco-friendly coffins and plant pots.
Ecoroots’ Mission to Transform Recycling
Founded by Lavanya Bhandari, Ecoroots emerges as a pioneering force in the recycling industry, dedicated to replacing conventional plastic and polystyrene packaging with sustainable materials derived from mycelium, the vegetative part of fungi. This initiative aligns with the global drive to reduce plastic waste, which currently sees only about 15% recycled effectively.
The Science Behind Biofoam
Ecoroots has developed Biofoam, a groundbreaking material comprised of 35 potent microbial isolates, which rejuvenates soil biodiversity and enhances crop performance. The rigorous process of combining fungal strains with agricultural substrates results in a strong, versatile material that can be molded into various shapes and sizes, catering to specific client needs.
The Impact of Ecoroots’ Work
With her deep background in food science and chemistry, Lavanya Bhandari founded Ecoroots to address critical environmental issues. “It is not your typical way of recycling; it’s using materials from the earth, giving them life, repurposing and restoring them, and then releasing them back to the earth, letting nature do its thing,” Lavanya explains the company’s core philosophy.
Research and Development at Ecoroots
After leaving a corporate job in the food industry, Lavanya devoted her efforts to research and develop mycelium materials. “Spending a lot of time in research and cruelty-free test runs was not easy, but because of Ecoroots’ vision for sustainability, we as a company will do as much as we can to produce high-quality products,” she states. This dedication has led to various innovative products, including packaging materials that are lightweight, strong, and possess thermal, water, and fire resistance properties.
Image provided by Ecoroots
