Can mycelium packaging be stored long-term & how it holds up in warehouses?
It’s one of the most common questions we get and an important one. When you’re used to packaging that survives centuries (hello, polystyrene), switching to a biodegradable material can raise some questions. No one wants for their packaging to degrade before the product reaches a customer.
It’s a fair concern. After all, traditional packaging like EPS is practically indestructible — it lingers for centuries. So how can something natural and compostable be just as reliable? Let’s break it down.
S.Lab packaging is built to last, until you don’t want it to
Our material is made from two things: agricultural waste (like hemp and linen) and mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms. Yes, it’s 100% natural. But it doesn’t start decomposing on its own.
The biodegradation process only begins when three conditions are met:
- Extremely high moisture
- Presence of active microorganisms (like in compost or soil)
- Lack of sunlight
Without all three, your packaging stays rock solid.
What does that mean for warehouse storage?
Shelf-stable: Stays intact for over a year in dry warehouse conditions
Humidity resistant: Holds shape at 40–60% RH (standard storage climate)
Durable: Packaging stays intact under long-term stacking and transit conditions
So you can stack it, ship it, store it… and it won’t flinch.
And when the journey is over?
Our packaging performs just like EPS and in some cases even better, until you decide it’s time for it to return to the soil. When it’s time and the packaging is intentionally broken onto pieces and thrown into the soil, it will biodegrade in 30 days.
So no compromise on reliability of your packaging, just a better afterlife.
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