What Role Can Fungi Play in Waste-to-Value? (with Joanne Rodriguez @ Mycocycle)

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Disclaimer: For full disclosure, Mycocycle is a portfolio company at Climate Capital. Our guest host, Dimitry, is the co-founder and CEO of one of our portcos, Enduring Planet.

CC Pod is not investment advice and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. You should do your own research and make your own independent decisions when considering any investment decision.

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On this week's CC Pod, Dimitry Gershenson welcomes Joanne Rodriguez, Founder and CEO of Mycocycle! Mycocycle is shifting the paradigm of waste management by using fungi to transform waste into reusable resources.

Mycocycle's innovative solution hinges on the remarkable capabilities of fungi, particularly their mycelium - the root-like structures that absorb nutrients. Fungi can break down complex organic materials, but could they do it with waste? This was the question that drove Joanne to establish Mycocycle.

Mycocycle's technology is a unique blend of applied mycology and biotechnology. The process begins with treating waste materials with specific fungi species, which then break down the waste and detoxify it. The result is a bio-based material that can be used as an input for other products. This is a three-step process: blending, inoculating, and finally, material development.

Mycocycle's solution is not just theoretical, but practical, and scalable. The company has developed mobile bioprocessors to decentralize the process, making it possible to implement their solution all over the country and even overseas.

But why is this so important? The waste problem that Mycocycle is tackling is twice the size of plastic pollution. By leveraging the potential of fungi, Mycocycle is not only reducing the volume of waste but also transforming it into a resource, thereby addressing two critical environmental challenges simultaneously.

The journey of Mycocycle is a testament to the power of innovative thinking and the potential of biotechnology. The company's work shows how we can harness the power of nature to address some of our most pressing environmental issues. As we face a future where waste management and resource scarcity are becoming increasingly crucial, solutions like Mycocycle's could play a pivotal role.

Visit mycocycle.com to learn more!

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