this post was submitted on 20 Oct 2025
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Fungi: mycelia, mushrooms & more

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Waste-eating mushrooms digest plastic & become ingredient to make chocolate protein bars (www.designboom.com)
submitted 1 month ago by solo@slrpnk.net to c/fungus@slrpnk.net
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the Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) digests PET plastic, often found in bottles and packaging; the Turkey Tail Mushroom (Trametes versicolor) eats LDPE plastic, commonly used in grocery bags; and the Split Gill Mushroom (Schizophyllum commune) dissolves PUR plastic, used in foams and coatings. These fungi convert plastic molecules into simple carbon-based compounds. After decomposition, they leave no toxic waste behind, and the result is clean, organic matter suitable for cultivation and food production.

Note: no affiliation whatsoever with this product

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[–] NaibofTabr 15 points 1 month ago (5 children)

Processing PET is a big deal, it's the primary polymer for a lot of plastic bottles, bags, wraps, and clamshell packages. Being able to biodegrade those things would make a real dent in plastic waste.

But... PET is also used in things like electrical wiring insulation. Assuming this can eventually be scaled up to industrial waste processing, what prevents it from spreading out into the world and destroying infrastructure?

[–] pulsewidth@lemmy.world 11 points 1 month ago

These fungi are already widespread worldwide so theres not really a concern of them 'escaping'.

Fungi will already rot infrastructure if its in the right conditions (warm and damp), which is why we don't let ceilings and electrical cablea etc get damp - and for cables that must be damp we use highly resistant polymers/etc which still need replacement over time due to rot and decay.

[–] stabby_cicada@slrpnk.net 10 points 1 month ago (1 children)

Or spreading out into the world and eating microplastics in the soil. Think positive!

[–] NaibofTabr 1 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I prefer risk management to hopium.

[–] solo@slrpnk.net 7 points 1 month ago (1 children)

what prevents it from spreading out into the world and destroying infrastructure?

To my understanding, this is a case by case senario. For example in some cases the fungus just dies after eating all the specific material/pollution/radiation etc. In cases were there is a possibility of the fungus spreading, then the material is first collected in a controlled area, and then the fungus is introduced there.

[–] NaibofTabr 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I hope this is the case, because fungi always have the possibility of spreading. We're basically talking about mold. The spores are going to travel unless strong measures are taken to prevent that, especially if this is scaled for industrial use outside of lab environments. Waste processing facilities aren't exactly sterile environments.

[–] solo@slrpnk.net 3 points 1 month ago

We’re basically talking about mold.

Not really. Mold is part of the fungi kingdom, but all fungi do not have the caracteristcs of mold.

[–] Alloi@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

lack of moisture and sunlight.

[–] NaibofTabr 1 points 1 month ago (1 children)

We're basically talking about mold. It's going to spread, and it's going to grow in places you don't want it to. You can't assume that it won't spread just because the conditions are not ideal. Active planning and prevention will be required.

[–] Alloi@lemmy.world 5 points 1 month ago

as a person who professionally grew oyster mushrooms specifically, as well as many other species (for resteraunts and farmers markets, and for fun, side note i highly suggest people try this its super fun and rewarding) for a few years. and has been an "amateur mycologist" for atleast 20 years, ill give my amateur response based off of my purely anecdotal experience, take it as you may.

oyster mushrooms (and all fungi for that matter) need a good environment, they are amazing in their own way, but they need the perfect temp, moisture, and sunlight to grow properly. they are...."finnicky" especially in a controlled environment

you can 100% assume it wont grow in places that arent ideal for its growth. thats a key component to fungi in general. they will wait until conditions are suitable, and then they will spread where they are able, but if those conditions arent available, the simply will not grow or spread.

nutrients, temp, moisture, (indirect) sunlight, oxygen, lack of competition form other organisms. and physical access.

if you dont have that entire list checked off, they will not grow or spread. this wont end up in some uncontrolled wild fire of oyster mushroom madness, bursting through the walls of every home and the wiring of every electronic (although i wish it would, they are delicious)

likely it will be used in controlled disposal environments, ideal for the growth of the mushrooms, a combination of plastics and soils/wood chips/ grains etc. mixed together after a pasteurisation process of both materials, because even though this fungi likes PET, other molds and fungi, bacteria, etc like to eat this mold as well. so if oyster mushrooms havent taken over our lives by now, they arent going to anytime soon without global assistance in every climate. it would basically have to be done on purpose. the plastic would also have to be shredded if it were to somehow grow on it alone, to give purchase to the mycelial growth.

although if i could grow edible oysters out of my recycling bin, you bet your sweet ass id give it a shot.

ive thrown so many blocks in the trash that by now my cities dump would be brimming with them if it was an issue. so far, no dice.

these are just normal ass mushrooms that so happen to eat plastics. and they are tasty.

(im not a paid shill for big mushroom, i just like how they taste fried in a pan with a lil butter n' salt, and know others like them too)

[–] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 2 points 1 month ago

PET is one of the most readily recyclable plastics. It becomes fabric, shoes... The challenge is separating it.

Most electrical insulation is PVC (or PUR for halogen-free).

[–] M1ch431@slrpnk.net 10 points 1 month ago (2 children)

I suppose I'd want to see comprehensive lab reports, but it's nice to know that fungi can digest plastic.

[–] solo@slrpnk.net 10 points 1 month ago (1 children)

It looks like this project is based on this 2011 mycoremediation study that is linked in this article. Maybe you will find there what you are looking for, the comprehensive lab reports I mean.

[–] M1ch431@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 month ago

Thanks for that!

[–] acockworkorange@mander.xyz 2 points 1 month ago (1 children)

I'm not a fan of the chocolate thing, but even if we don't eat it, it's a big win.

[–] M1ch431@slrpnk.net 2 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

Yep, exactly! This is a best-case solution as it is presumably easy to scale and adapt.