In Scotland, a Company Will Produce Its Own Packaging Using Whiskey Waste

Arbikie Distillery, a Scottish distillery, is using whisky and mushroom waste to produce compostable packaging. This initiative looks to the future, opening the door to new possible scenarios: what would the world be like if packaging were no longer seen as a plastic problem but as an opportunity for sustainable innovation?

"Ecologically Responsible" Packaging

The project is called MycoPack and is the brainchild of Arbikie Distillery, a producer of vodka, gin, and whisky, in collaboration with experts from Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Dundee. The goal, of course, is to reduce plastic production by using waste products to create packaging materials. To do this, they developed a system that combines mycelium —the vegetative part of mushrooms—with distillation byproducts, such as spent grains. The combination of these elements creates packaging that is lightweight, fireproof, and, of course, compostable.

An incredible project that truly marks a turning point in the field of environmental sustainability, as Kirsty Black, Arbikie Distillery Manager, underlines, according to a press release from the University of Dundee: "At Arbikie, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Our collaboration with the universities of Edinburgh, Napier and Dundee on MycoPack represents an exciting step forward, combining innovation and determination to create mycelium packaging that is not only environmentally responsible, but also deeply aligned with our values. Together, we hope to pioneer solutions that respect the planet and inspire change across the industry."

Scotland Moves Towards Zero Emissions

Over the next ten months, the team will conduct trials to determine whether the combination of mycelium and by-products used can actually deliver the expected results. MycoPack is one of the projects supported by Scotland Beyond Net Zero, a program that has already funded eleven similar initiatives to accelerate Scotland's journey towards net zero emissions. This commitment was reiterated by Wenbin Zhou, a professor at the University of Dundee, who, in an interview with STV News, said: "Our aim is to demonstrate how sustainable design and advanced manufacturing can support Scotland's journey towards net zero emissions, transforming waste into low-carbon value and bringing the principles of the circular economy to life through innovation and collaboration."