Fungi turn construction waste into an eco-friendly insulation

Trametes versicolor. PIC/UNIVERSITY OF BATH

Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a low-carbon insulation material using fungi to break down hard-to-recycle construction waste. The team used Trametes versicolor, commonly known as turkey tail fungus, to digest waste-oriented strand board (OSB), an engineered wood product often dumped in landfills or burned. As the fungus grows, it binds the waste into a sturdy, fire-resistant and thermally insulating bio-composite. Researchers found the material performed like conventional insulation while producing more than ten times lower carbon emissions during manufacturing. They believe the innovation could help tackle construction waste while creating sustainable alternatives for insulation, packaging, textiles, and soundproofing materials in the future.