Yes!
The 2 to 4 million species of fungi in the world offer us endless possibilities — from creating alternative building materials and textiles, to cleaning up environmental toxins, to providing new sources of plant-based proteins. Now, scientists are turning to mushrooms and mycoremediation to solve our plastic pollution crisis.
What Is Mycoremediation?
Mushrooms growing at a habitat restoration site in Hylebos Creek, Tacoma, Washington in 2010. Port of Tacoma / Flickr
Mycoremediation is a form of bioremediation: the introduction of microorganisms or other life forms to break down environmental pollutants in contaminated areas. Bioremediation is employed to clean up oil spills, industrial sites, brownfields and even Superfund sites, often introducing bacteria to degrade the pollutants and cycle nutrients back into the environment. Mycoremediation is different in that it uses fungi instead of bacteria. Mycelia — the thread-like root systems of fungi that grow underneath the mushroom — consume food externally, using their enzymes to break down molecules in pollutants and toxins. Basically, they digest the surface they’re growing on and convert it into nutrients.
It’s a remarkable method that’s been used to clean up industrial and agricultural waste — like cyanotoxins, herbicides and pesticides — and sometimes convert them into edible, high-protein mushrooms. Mushrooms have been used to clean up oil spills, contaminated soil and heavy metals in brownfields. Oyster mushrooms are capable of removing E. coli from contaminated waters, such as the highly contaminated Chicago River, as well as toxin-filled ash from wildfires that make their way into waterways.
And now, we’re beginning to see their potential to break down one of our generation’s most widespread pollutants: plastic.
Potential Uses
Landfills and Marine Plastic Patches
Plastic doesn’t decompose, but merely breaks down into smaller pieces over time. That means that the 8.3 billion tons of plastic that have been produced since the 1950s still exists in one form or another. Landfills, where 27 million tons of plastic have accumulated since 2018, are a particular concern. How, though, can mushrooms be used to break down plastic in these airless, sunless environments?
Pestalotiopsis microspora might be the answer. A 2011 study out of Yale University declares that this rare mushroom — found by students on a class research trip to Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest — can degrade a common type of polymer plastic called polyester polyurethane, along with several other fungi in the Pestalotiopsis genus. These fungi can use plastic as their main source of carbon, converting it into organic matter. Pestalotiopsis microspora can even do so in both liquid and soil suspensions in dark environments without oxygen, meaning it could be useful in landfills, waste treatment centers and even in ocean plastic gyres like the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. Working quickly, it decomposes parts of the plastic in just two weeks.
In 2017, scientist Sehroon Khan of the Kunming Institute of Botany collected Aspergillus tubingensis growing in a city garbage dump in Islamabad, Pakistan. He found that the fungus was able to break down polyurethane — a plastic used widely in producing large appliances, fake leather, sponges, and synthetic fibers — within weeks. The mushroom’s enzymes and mycelia work to break bonds between molecules and then break them apart.
Non-Recyclable Material
Not all plastics can be recycled, or it’s extremely difficult to do so. Polypropylene, for example, accounts for 28% of global plastic waste, but a meager 1% of it is recycled. It’s used to create household items like toys, industrial products like car parts, plastic packaging like takeout containers and cling film, and textiles, making it a widely used plastic for which there are few recycling solutions.
Research conducted by the University of Sydney’s School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering discovered that two types of fungi typically found in plants and soil — Aspergillus terreus and Engyodontium album — were able to break down this type of plastic after being pre-treated with heat, UV light or an acidic solution called Fenton’s reagent. After 30 days of incubation, the plastic had been reduced by 21%, and after 90 days, it had been reduced by 25 to 27%. Researchers believe that if they optimize the conditions of the process even more, they’ll see a reduction in degradation time.
Oyster mushrooms can also break down items containing non-recyclable plastic. One trial conducted by Fungi Solutions in Melbourne found that they are capable of breaking down most toxins and the microplastics in cigarette butts, which are one of the top items of plastic waste found in the ocean, within seven days. The group believes they can remove 1.2 million cigarette butts from landfills and dispose of them in this way.
In the Home
Even for the plastic waste in your own home, oyster mushrooms are coming to the rescue. Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus pulmonarius — both types of oyster mushrooms — were found capable of degrading PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) plastic over 30 to 60 days. PET is commonly used to make plastic water bottles, 600 billion of which are produced every year and only a small percentage of which actually get recycled.
The Fungi Mutarium might just be the solution. Created by Katharina Unger with Utrecht University in the Netherlands, the recycling system contains pods made of agar and plastics treated with UV. Oyster and split gill mushrooms fed on these pods for a few months. Scientists anticipate smaller scale versions of the Fungi Mutarium being used in homes, and larger systems at recycling or waste-treatment centers for community use. While some bioaccumulate too many toxins when degrading environmental pollutants, some mushrooms that feed on plastic in such systems are even edible — such as the Fungi Mutarium, which produces edible mycelia.
Takeaway
With our plastic pollution crisis only growing, we’ll need to find ways to both reduce our consumption as well as sustainably dispose of these huge amounts of waste. Mycoremediation is an opportunity to handle plastic waste through natural means, perhaps even on a worldwide scale.
The post Can Mushrooms Really Break Down Plastic? appeared first on EcoWatch.
https://www.ecowatch.com/mushrooms-plastic-breakdown-ecowatch.html
New research has found that the persistent sound of traffic can aggravate Galápagos yellow warblers and cause them to change their behavior, possibly because they realize their songs may be being drowned out by the noise.
The study was led by experts from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and University of Vienna’s Konrad Lorenz Research Centre.
The Galápagos Islands lie more than 500 miles off Ecuador’s coastline and are seen as a “living laboratory” because of the many unique, endemic species who call the archipelago home, a press release from ARU said.
Galápagos yellow warblers are genetically distinct from yellow warblers in the Americas and are classified as a subspecies.
The researchers found that Galápagos yellow warblers living near busy roads behaved more aggressively when recordings of another bird were played alongside traffic sounds. They said this could be due to the birds realizing that their songs, which are effectively warnings to intruders encroaching on their territory, could be being masked by the din of cars and trucks.
“Communication usually is in lieu of physical aggression but, if the communication is not possible because of noise, then they might actually engage in risky behaviours that would lead to a physical fight,” said co-author of the findings Dr. Çağlar Akçay, a behavioral ecologist at ARU, as The Guardian reported.
Since Charles Darwin first visited the Galápagos in 1835, there has been a significant rise in the number of humans living on the islands. The permanent population is growing by more than six percent a year, which means more vehicles on the roads.
“The Galapagos Islands are famous for plant and animal life which has been there for thousands of years before human beings appeared on the islands. As the population of the Islands grow[s], it is important to monitor the impact of the human population on the environment,” according to Galápagos Conservation Trust.
A Galápagos yellow warbler. Alper Yelimlies
The research team played birdsong accompanied by traffic noise from a speaker at 38 locations on the islands of Santa Cruz and Floreana. Twenty of the sites were within approximately 164 feet of the closest road, while 18 were more than 328 feet away.
The team measured the warblers’ songs, as well as aggressive, physical behaviors like coming close to the speaker and flying repeatedly over it.
The researchers observed that the warblers who lived in roadside territories displayed increased aggression, while those living farther away from roads showed less aggression in comparison to trials without noise.
“Birds use song during territorial defence as an aggressive signal. However, if external noise such as traffic interferes with the signalling, effectively blocking this communication channel, increasing physical aggression would be an appropriate response,” Akçay said in the press release.
The “roadside effect” was even apparent on Floreana Island, where there were only around 10 vehicles, suggesting minimal traffic can also impact the noise responses of Galápagos yellow warblers.
“Our results show that the change in aggressive responses in yellow warblers occurred mainly near roads. Birds occupying roadside territories on both islands, and therefore having regular experience of traffic noise, may have learned to increase physical aggression when the territorial intrusion was accompanied by traffic noise,” Akçay said.
During the noise experiments, Galápagos yellow warblers increased their songs’ minimum frequencies regardless of how close their territory was to the road, which helped cut down on the overlap between their songs and the low-frequency traffic noise. Warblers on Santa Cruz, a more populated island, extended the length of their songs when confronted with traffic noise.
“We also found some evidence of birds trying to cope with noise by adjusting their song, with yellow warblers in all habitats increasing the minimum frequency of their songs to help them be heard above the traffic noise,” Akçay added.
The findings support the theory that an individual bird’s experience with noise, or long-term selection in response to noise, allows birds to adapt and adjust aspects of their songs.
“Our study shows the importance of considering behavioural plasticity in conservation efforts and developing strategies to mitigate the effects of noise pollution on wildlife. It also highlights the significant impact of human activities on wildlife behaviour, even in relatively remote locations such as the Galápagos Islands,” Akçay said.
The study, “Galápagos yellow warblers differ in behavioural plasticity in response to traffic noise depending on proximity to road,” was published in the journal Animal Behaviour.
The post Galápagos Yellow Warblers Living Near Traffic Noise Act More Aggressively, Study Finds appeared first on EcoWatch.
https://www.ecowatch.com/galapagos-yellow-warblers-behavior-traffic-noise.html
Wild cougar cubs have been seen in the western part of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for the first time in over a century.
Last week state biologists confirmed that the spotted cubs — thought to be between seven and nine weeks old — were living on private property in Ontonagon County, a press release from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) said.
“It’s pretty exciting, considering this could be the first known cougar reproduction in modern times in the western Great Lakes states,” said wildlife biologist Brian Roell, a DNR large carnivore specialist and leader of the cub verification team, in the press release. “It really shows that we have a unique place in Michigan where someone has a chance to see a wolf, a moose and a cougar in the wild. It’s something that should be celebrated, that we have the habitat to support an elusive animal like this.”
A local resident took photos of the cubs on March 6, which Roell and the team used to verify the cubs’ presence in the area.
Originally native to Michigan, cougars were hunted to extinction in the state around the early 1900s. The last wild cougar who was legally taken was near Newberry in 1906, DNR said on its website.
“There have been many confirmed cougar sightings since 2008, including two illegal harvests in the Upper Peninsula,” the website said. “This situation is not unique to Michigan, but has been occurring in many other mid-western and eastern states, as young males disperse from core range in the western United States.”
Although cougars have been spotted in Michigan in the recent past, it was the first verified sighting of cougar cubs since their populations were decimated, Roell said.
The photographs were of the cubs without their mother, and they have not been seen again since March 6. Extremely dependent on their mothers, cougar cubs often remain with them throughout their first two years.
“Those young cougars are very vulnerable right now,” Roell said. “We don’t know where they are or if they’re even alive. Mother Nature can be very cruel.”
While cougars are Michigan natives, most of those there now seem to be transient, dispersing across the border from Western states.
Roell said there have been 132 reports of adult cougars verified by the DNR, but DNA testing had only confirmed male cougars to date.
Because they are listed as endangered in Michigan, it is illegal to harass or hunt cougars, including attempting to locate their den, Roell said.
Cougar sightings in Michigan can be logged through the Eyes in the Field reporting system, operated by the DNR.
Cougar cubs photographed by a Michigan resident who asked to remain anonymous. Michigan Department of Natural Resources
The post Wild Cougar Cubs Spotted in Western Michigan for the First Time in Over 100 Years appeared first on EcoWatch.
https://www.ecowatch.com/wild-cougar-cubs-michigan.html
Last Updated on March 18, 2025
By now you’ve probably seen the cruelty-free label on some of your products. But what exactly does it mean? And how does it correlate to sustainability?
Many beauty items are labeled cruelty-free, such as cosmetics and skincare. But many other items can carry the label, such as shoes, clothing, accessories and cleaning supplies.
The cruelty-free label essentially means no animals were harmed in the making of said product, or ingredient. This is important for a multitude of reasons, one being the inhumane treatment of lab animals. Most animals in laboratories are not legally protected and are subjected to horrifically painful experiments, often without pain killers.
Additionally, animals used for lab testing contribute to pollution and biodiversity loss. Animals, the most common being monkeys, are often taken from their natural habitats and bred in captivity for lab usage. Alongside this, millions of animal bodies and bedding are disposed of each year, creating biological hazardous waste.
Unfortunately, up to 126.9 million non-human vertebrate animals on a global scale are bred, used, and disposed for animal testing. This leads to a slew of ethical and environmental concerns.
This is why it’s vital to look for brands that don’t test on animals whenever possible. There are several ways we can do this, like choosing to go vegan or plant-based, advocating for animal rights, and checking for cruelty-free certified products.
Here’s what you need to know about animal testing and why opting for brands that avoid this matters.
is cruelty-free same as vegan?
No, cruelty-free is not the same as vegan. Cruelty-free means the product was developed without any tests on animals, whereas vegan means the product does not include any animal-derived ingredients.
Ideally, a product will be both vegan and cruelty-free. However, just because it is vegan does not automatically make it cruelty-free, and vice versa.
So, for example, a plant-based lipstick derived from vegan ingredients can still be considered “not cruelty-free” if it was tested on animals.
RELATED: The Best Vegan Shoes: 8 Brands Making Cruelty-Free Footwear
what is the legal definition of cruelty-free?
There is no legal definition of cruelty-free. The term can be used by any brand – so keep that in mind while shopping around for products. However, to ensure legitimacy, it’s best to look for certifications, like Leaping Bunny Certification. This ensures third party testing was involved.
In order to get Leaping Bunny certified, brands must:
- Adhere to a fixed cut-off date, an unalterable date after which neither the brand nor any of its suppliers and/or manufacturers may conduct, commission or be party to animal tests.
- Set up a Supplier Monitoring System to ensure all their suppliers and manufacturers comply with Leaping Bunny criteria.
- Be open to independent audits to ensure their Supplier Monitoring System adheres to the Leaping Bunny Standard.
- Renew their commitment to the Leaping Bunny Program annually.
is cruelty-free a good thing?
Yes, cruelty-free is a good thing, because it prevents unnecessary suffering and promotes more ethical testing of products.
In terms of its environmental impact, animal testing is resource-intensive, requiring substantial amounts of water, food, and shelter for the animals. The facilities housing lab animals consume energy up to ten times more than offices on a square meter basis.
There’s also the issue of chemical waste. A wide range of chemicals are used throughout animal testing for sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization. Toxic substances like irritants, neurotoxins and carcinogens are frequently used for extended periods of time in large amounts. These toxins can contaminate soil and water if not disposed of correctly.
When animal bodies are eventually discarded after use, they are often incinerated on-site, which contributes to air pollution. Incineration is extremely harmful to human health, causing chronic illness and developmental delays in nearby populations. Between 11 to 44 percent of U.S. laboratory workers experience allergic reactions to laboratory animals. Between 4 to 22 percent suffer from occupational asthma.
By supporting cruelty-free brands, you are ensuring no animal was harmed for the sake of your product. You’re also helping more ethical, humane, and sustainable alternatives become the norm.
what are cruelty-free products?
Cruelty-free products are any product that isn’t tested on animals in each and every phase of the production.
I’ve compiled a list of brands that don’t test on animals. I’ve gone ahead and highlighted some key features of each brand, but it isn’t an exhaustive list. Be sure to check out their websites for more information.
1. pacifica
- Natural skincare, haircare + cosmetics
- Bio sourced ingredients
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Partner with the ACLU and the Gentle Barn
2. plaine products
- Natural, plant-based haircare and skincare
- Rosemary mint vanilla, citrus lavender, and unscented options
- Refillable + comes plastic-free aluminum bottles
- Vegan, cruelty-free, women owned, carbon neutral
- 100% plastic-free shipping
3. ecoroots
- All-natural skincare and haircare products
- Various scents available
- Vegan + cruelty-free
- Silicone Free, Phthalate-free & Paraben Free
- Plastic-free shipping
4. brixy
- Natural shampoo, conditioner + body wash bars
- 3 scents available: citrus, mint eucalyptus and coconut vanilla
- Vegan + cruelty-free
- Free from palm oil, sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, synthetic scents + colorants
5. ethique
- Natural body + haircare products
- Various scents + types available
- Vegan + cruelty-free
- Plastic free + home compostable packaging
6. good time
- Natural hair + body bars
- No parabens, sulphates, or preservatives
- Vegan + cruelty-free
- Carbon neutral shipping
- 50% of profits to clean water initiatives
7. patch
- Compostable bamboo bandages
- Come packaged in recycled cardboard
- Organic content
- Vegan + cruelty-free
8. megafood
- Sustainable vitamins and supplements
- USDA Certified Organic
- Committed to regenerative agriculture
- Fair employment practices
- Lobbying to ban glyphosate
- Vegan, gluten-free + cruelty-free
9. blueland
- Sustainable cleaning + personal care products
- Refillable + compostable refill packets
- Hypoallergenic
- Leaping bunny certified
- B corp
10. nae shoes
- Women, men + unisex footwear
- Vegan + cruelty-free
- Made from sustainable materials like Pinatex, apple skin, cork, organic cotton, etc.
- Pre-loved program allows you to send back your shoes to be recycled or resold
So, which of these sustainable brands free of animal testing would you like to try? Let me know in the comments!
The post What Does Cruelty-Free Mean? +10 Ethical Brands appeared first on Going Zero Waste.
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