Eco-Friendly Polystyrene Alternative to Revolutionize Packaging Industry-

Ecovative Design, a NY-based company, has created a biodegradable alternative to conventional polystyrene (or Styrofoam) using agricultural by-products like seed husks and mushroom roots. Polystyrene is a weightless material with good insulation properties, and has a wide array of uses — from cups to packaging materials. The only drawback is that polystyrene is made with petroleum, a non-biodegradable and polluting substance. According to Ecovative Design’s website, their patented “EcoCradle” packaging “performs similarly to synthetic foams, but it takes far less energy to produce, is made of natural materials and is eco-friendly every step of the way.” The “EcoCradle” is produced without fossil fuels or light, requires little heat, is less expensive to produce than foam, and is hypoallergenic. The video below highlights the company’s goal to stop global warming by growing polystyrene with raw, renewable materials.