28/05/2026
In a groundbreaking achievement that could revolutionize Pakistan's approach to environmental challenges, two students from Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU) have developed a sustainable solution to combat the country's growing plastic and polystyrene (thermopole) pollution.
Amna Shahid and Noor-ul-Ain, students of the Department of Environmental Sciences, have successfully created Pakistan's first fully biodegradable packaging material using mushroom mycelium networks.
This innovative, eco-friendly packaging is produced by cultivating mushroom fungus on wheat straw and other agricultural waste. The fungus transforms the waste into a solid, lightweight material that can be molded into any shape, providing a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional plastic and disposable containers.
Given that Pakistan generates approximately 2 million tons of plastic waste annually, which often ends up clogging waterways, seas, and streets, this mycelium-based material holds immense potential.
The students highlight that Pakistan's abundant agricultural waste offers a vast resource for large-scale production of this material. They believe that manufacturing this product on an industrial level could not only eliminate plastic pollution but also lay the foundation for a new, environmentally-conscious packaging industry in the country.