In the Ecuadorian rain forest, they’ve found the first fungus species able to survive exclusively on polyurethane. Polyurethane doesn’t degrade naturally. Scientists have found Pestalotiopsis microspora, a polyurethane eating mushroom. Found by a group of Yale students, the mushroom can live off of polyurethane exclusively, even without oxygen! Amazing!

Also, a couple of college friends discovered that the sticky substance on the bottom of mushrooms called mycelium could be turned into a glue and when that glue is combined with corn husks and other food byproducts it takes on a form similar to Styrofoam. Their company, Ecovative wants used Styrofoam to become mulch, not waste.

Watch a video about these magic mushrooms here.