Watch the above video about EcoCradle, a new natural based packaging that is kicking Styrofoam’s butt in the sustainability department. Oh, wait. Anything can kick Styrofoam’s butt. It is made out of polystyrene, hence petroleum. And it will still be here until the Apes rule the planet. ( You know Charlton Heston and the Planet of the Apes? Maybe you saw Tim Burton’s re-make with Mark Wahlberg?)
So what is so exciting about this EcoCradle product?
“It is comprised of local agricultural byproducts such as cotton seed hulls and buckwheat hulls. We strive to utilize agricultural wastes that have almost no value. We avoid agricultural byproducts that can be used for livestock feed, and because we focus on materials that are high in lignin, they typically can’t be used in a cellulosic ethanol processes. The raw material inputs of EcoCradle™ are selected based on regionally available agricultural by-products.” (emphasis added.)
Think Mushrooms when thinking about this product. The Company actually grows EcoCradle. People after my own gardening heart.
“EcoCradle™ is grown in the dark, with no watering and no petrochemical inputs. Our organism grows quickly, in just 7 days it produces miles of tiny white fibers which envelope and digest the seed husks, binding them into a strong and beautiful final product. Our entire process uses about 10 times less energy per unit of material than the manufacturing of synthetic foams. Additionally, our pilot plant on Green Island uses hydroelectric power, which emits no green house gasses.”
So when you get a package with the product what do you do with it? It is either compostable in your backyard or biodegrades in a landfill. Hmmm. Doesn’t that create methane gas like food? You all know how I feel about methane gas in landfills. I opt for throwing it in the composter.
This product sounds familiar…
When I was read about the inventors, Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre, both prior Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students, their story seemed very familiar. Years ago, I read about 2 RPI students who invented fungi insulation. Well guess what? These two two guys also invented Greensulate, a mushroom based insulation. What are they going to grow next? Can you do something with leftovers that spoil?
Okay, so what if it green.
(Did I hear you right, Anna? You sound a wee bit cranky there.)
What I meant is does it work or it is a bunch of hull hype? According to the Company
“Overall, it’s very similar. The density is slightly higher, so EcoCradle™ is ideal for packing heavy items. We’re happy to provide engineers with precise data. Contact us with any questions you have, and one of our engineers will get right back with you.”
There is a question and answer section on the website if you want to know more about the product. If you want to know if you can eat it, the founders stated you can but it won’t taste good. Okay, who asks a question like that who is over the age of 14? And did Eben and Gavin really eat their product? Maybe over a dare? Pleassse.
In any event, this product is available now for purchase. Maybe someone should tell the big boy computer companies to kick the stryo-habit. Wait. That would mean that they (HP) would have to reply to the email that I sent them.
So, reader, raise your reusable water bottle to these guys who found mushrooms growing on wood chips interesting. They must have had amazingly creative moms!
Come’ on didn’t you know that behind every genius, there is an equally creative mother?
Arafat Hossain Piyada says
April 12, 2010 at 7:36 amI always have a love with eco-friendly product and always want to share those product information with others. Thanks for this share. Just watching the video now after the reading.
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