Evaluating Pleurotus ostreatus growth for upcycling textile waste from the fashion industry

The fast fashion industry’s rapid growth has led to about 92 million tons of textile waste each year and contributes 10% of global carbon emissions, which is expected to rise by 50% by 2030. This study examines a sustainable method for upcycling textile waste using the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostr...

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Main Author: Ian A. Fletcher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainability
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsus.2025.1522527/full
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author Ian A. Fletcher
author_facet Ian A. Fletcher
author_sort Ian A. Fletcher
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description The fast fashion industry’s rapid growth has led to about 92 million tons of textile waste each year and contributes 10% of global carbon emissions, which is expected to rise by 50% by 2030. This study examines a sustainable method for upcycling textile waste using the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. Thirteen fabric substrates, consisting of both natural and synthetic fibers, were cultivated on four growth media—malt extract agar (MEA), malt extract yeast agar (MYA), potato dextrose agar (PDA), and potato dextrose yeast agar (PDYA)—to assess their effectiveness in supporting mycelium growth, morphological characteristics, and biomass yield. Results showed that all fabric substrates supported mycelium growth, with MEA, MYA, and PDYA emerging as the most effective growth media. PDYA produced the highest biomass yield, highlighting its potential for upcycling applications. Statistical analysis demonstrated the significant effect of growth media on the lag and exponential growth phases, underscoring the importance of nutrient-rich environment conditions for optimized growth. This study confirms the viability of utilizing Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium for transforming textile waste, with the potential to provide an innovative and eco-friendly approach to reducing the fashion industry’s environmental footprint.
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spelling doaj-art-b3c5de66866a46c4bb8865cd46ca077b2025-08-20T02:08:35ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainability2673-45242025-04-01610.3389/frsus.2025.15225271522527Evaluating Pleurotus ostreatus growth for upcycling textile waste from the fashion industryIan A. FletcherThe fast fashion industry’s rapid growth has led to about 92 million tons of textile waste each year and contributes 10% of global carbon emissions, which is expected to rise by 50% by 2030. This study examines a sustainable method for upcycling textile waste using the edible mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus. Thirteen fabric substrates, consisting of both natural and synthetic fibers, were cultivated on four growth media—malt extract agar (MEA), malt extract yeast agar (MYA), potato dextrose agar (PDA), and potato dextrose yeast agar (PDYA)—to assess their effectiveness in supporting mycelium growth, morphological characteristics, and biomass yield. Results showed that all fabric substrates supported mycelium growth, with MEA, MYA, and PDYA emerging as the most effective growth media. PDYA produced the highest biomass yield, highlighting its potential for upcycling applications. Statistical analysis demonstrated the significant effect of growth media on the lag and exponential growth phases, underscoring the importance of nutrient-rich environment conditions for optimized growth. This study confirms the viability of utilizing Pleurotus ostreatus mycelium for transforming textile waste, with the potential to provide an innovative and eco-friendly approach to reducing the fashion industry’s environmental footprint.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsus.2025.1522527/fulltextile wasteupcyclingmyceliumPleurotus ostreatuscircular economy
spellingShingle Ian A. Fletcher
Evaluating Pleurotus ostreatus growth for upcycling textile waste from the fashion industry
Frontiers in Sustainability
textile waste
upcycling
mycelium
Pleurotus ostreatus
circular economy
title Evaluating Pleurotus ostreatus growth for upcycling textile waste from the fashion industry
title_full Evaluating Pleurotus ostreatus growth for upcycling textile waste from the fashion industry
title_fullStr Evaluating Pleurotus ostreatus growth for upcycling textile waste from the fashion industry
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating Pleurotus ostreatus growth for upcycling textile waste from the fashion industry
title_short Evaluating Pleurotus ostreatus growth for upcycling textile waste from the fashion industry
title_sort evaluating pleurotus ostreatus growth for upcycling textile waste from the fashion industry
topic textile waste
upcycling
mycelium
Pleurotus ostreatus
circular economy
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsus.2025.1522527/full
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