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MushBox: In Situ Biodegradation Of Municipal Solid Waste Via Mycelium And Cellulosic Waste Integration
Summary
Researchers developed MushBox, a system that uses mycoremediation -- deploying mycelium housed in modular bricks made from recycled cellulosic waste -- to biodegrade municipal solid waste in situ within landfills. The concept targets compounds such as phthalates, lignin, and pharmaceuticals, leveraging mycelial enzymatic activity to decompose waste more efficiently than conventional landfill decomposition.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a pressing environmental issue, constituting 60% of the 292.4 million tons of waste annually. MSW contributes to ecological disruptions, groundwater contamination, wildlife harm, and climate change. MushBox uses mycoremediation to break down MSW with mycelium, housed in modular bricks made from recycled cellulosic waste. Placed in landfills, MushBox initiates mycelial growth, efficiently decomposing waste like di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, lignin, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. Tested fungal strains such as Pestalotiopsis and Pleurotus Ostreatus optimized decomposition rates. Cellulosic substrates were evaluated for their ability to support mycelial growth. AI models were developed for customized MushBox production. In landfill trials, MushBox degraded 1.19 tons of MSW within a year in compact 1x1x1 foot units, with computer simulations showing scalable waste breakdown. MushBox innovations extend beyond waste management, aiding land reclamation and combating climate change by reducing landfill waste and removing pollutants like microplastics and leachates.