Scottish Distillery, Universities Develop Compostable Packaging From Whisky Waste

Arbikie Distillery, in collaboration with Edinburgh Napier University and the University of Dundee, has launched the MycoPack project to transform whisky production by-products, such as spent grain, into durable, lightweight, and fully compostable packaging using mycelium, the root structure of fungi. This innovative packaging is designed to be impact-resistant and fire-retardant, positioning it as an eco-friendly alternative to traditional plastic packaging. Over the next ten months, the team will focus on proof of concept and testing the material and design, aiming to develop packaging suitable for whisky products, including protective gift boxes. Funded by Scotland Beyond Net Zero, a coalition of Scottish universities dedicated to accelerating the country’s transition to a green economy, MycoPack is one of eleven projects supported in this initiative, which has invested around £300,000 in total. The project reflects Arbikie Distillery’s commitment to sustainability, aiming to pioneer solutions that align with its goal to be the world’s first climate-positive distillery. Project leaders emphasize the importance of cross-sector collaboration to meet Scotland’s ambitious net zero targets by innovating and adapting to sustainability challenges.