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Reducing Plastic Pollution in the Ocean: MycoBuoys as a Potential Solution
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Mycelium-based buoys grown from mushroom material are proposed as a biodegradable alternative to polystyrene foam buoys widely used in Maine aquaculture and fisheries. Unlike Styrofoam, which breaks into persistent microplastic pollution, MycoBuoys decompose completely into beneficial soil nutrients at end-of-life, offering a circular economy solution to a significant source of coastal plastic contamination.
Natural mushroom mycelium-based MycoBuoys are an alternative to ubiquitous plastic flotation devices used in Maine aquaculture, fisheries and harbors. They fit perfectly into a circular economic model where natural resources are borrowed for a specific purpose and are returned as elements at the end of product life. MycoBuoys may be composted or used as mulch where 100% of the material enhances soil nutrients upon decomposition. In contrast to this cradle-to-cradle product, currently ubiquitous Stryofoam buoys have expensive end life costs in terms of ecosystem and organismal health consequences. Styrene is a known carcinogen, and the foam particles degrade into smaller fragments, but never go away. With the end of subsidies for fossil fuels (necessary to reach climate resilient goals), and with extended producer responsibility (EPR) for all manufactured products, plastic foams used for buoys will no longer be economically or environmentally feasible.
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Preventing Styrofoam in Marine Environment through Eco-friendly, Durable Bivalve Buoys of Reduced Impact through structural modification
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This article discusses the problem of styrofoam buoy fragmentation as a major source of marine microplastics in South Korea and evaluates existing governmental and industry efforts to address it. The authors propose a new eco-friendly buoy design made from biodegradable materials with enhanced structural durability as a direct replacement for styrofoam. The article also outlines potential public awareness campaigns to encourage adoption of the new buoy type.
Efficacy of Pleurotus eryngii Mycelium Containers as an Alternative to Current Single-Use Plastic Based Methods
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Researchers tested whether containers made from king oyster mushroom mycelium could serve as a biodegradable alternative to single-use plastic takeout containers. The mycelium containers showed promising structural performance and represent a potentially sustainable substitute for expanded polystyrene food packaging.
The Hidden Cost of Buoyancy: Environmental and Social Consequences of EPS in Marine Aquaculture
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Researchers examined how expanded polystyrene buoys used in South Korean oyster aquaculture generate microplastic contamination that bioaccumulates in filter-feeding organisms and disproportionately burdens low-income coastal communities, advocating for biodegradable buoy alternatives and systemic governance reforms in marine infrastructure.
Eco-friendly thermoplastic-basalt composite buoy system: eliminating microplastic pollution in marine oyster farming
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An eco-friendly thermoplastic-basalt composite material was proposed as an alternative to conventional buoy systems, designed to reduce microplastic shedding into marine environments. The study demonstrates that material substitutions in maritime infrastructure can meaningfully cut a source of ocean plastic pollution.
Circular and lower impact mussel and seaweed aquaculture by a shift towards bio‐based ropes
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This review examines how shifting mussel and seaweed aquaculture from conventional plastic ropes to bio-based alternatives could reduce marine litter and microplastic generation. Bio-based ropes offer comparable functionality while providing better end-of-life options, including recycling and biodegradation. The transition would support circular economy principles and help reduce the aquaculture industry's contribution to ocean plastic pollution.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.