Product company Gob has launched a pair of compostable, mycelium earplugs that were designed as an alternative to the 40 billion plastic earplugs produced each year.
Gob's earplugs were made entirely from mycelium ? the fibrous underground root network of mushrooms ? and are expected to break down over an estimated 45 days once discarded to "feed the soil".
"Our mycelium foam plugs go beyond just being compostable ? once they've done their job, they return to nature by breaking down into nutrients that feed the soil," said Gob.
"As a USDA certified, 100 per cent bio-based product, our earplugs contain no microplastics and no harmful residue ? just pure mycelium doing what it does best: regenerating the earth, naturally and without compromise." San Francisco company Gob has created earplugs out of mycelium
The mycelium earplugs resemble the classic forms of bright yellow safety earplugs, although they are the light cream colour of their mushroom material.
They are made up of 100 per cent mycelium and are designed to be single-use to "ensure maximum hygiene and performance" according to the team.

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Working with mycelium lab Ecovative, Gob produced the earplugs with mycelium made from agricultural byproducts, which is then shaped into small cylinders using a custom robotic system.
The result is a hypoallergenic earplu...