Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a method to turn unrecyclable oriented strand board (OSB) into sustainable insulation using turkey tail fungi. The resulting bio-composite material matches the thermal performance of traditional insulation while producing significantly lower carbon emissions during manufacture. This process addresses the problem of resin-treated wood waste in construction, which is typically sent to landfills or incinerated. The team is now focusing on scaling the production process and reducing the energy required for drying the material to further lower its carbon footprint.
