LOCAL BEE
SUSTAINABLE BEEKEEPING: LOCAL BEE AND MAGICAL MUSHROOM COMPANY® INNOVATE MYCELIUM HIVES
SUPPORTING POLLINATOR POPULATIONS
Local Bee, a UK-based startup, is on a mission to restore honeybees to their natural habitats and address the challenges posed by changing environmental conditions. Founded by hive designer Will Jordan, the company focuses on creating innovative, sustainable hives that promote healthier ecosystems.
To solve the challenges of weight, insulation, and biodegradability in traditional hives, Local Bee partnered with Magical Mushroom Company®. Using Mushroom® Material, they developed hives that mimic the natural cavity of trees, providing optimal insulation and breathability for honeybees.
This collaboration highlights how mycelium-based materials can revolutionise beekeeping, fostering a circular life cycle for products while supporting pollinator health.
“TURNED THE CONCEPT OF A MYCELIUM HIVE INTO A FULLY MANUFACTURED PRODUCT.”
THE PROBLEM
TO IMPROVE ARTIFICIAL HIVES USING LIGHTER SUSTAIBALE MATERIALS
Traditional beehives, often made from hollowed logs, are heavy, bulky, and difficult to install.
Will Jordan saw an opportunity to improve artificial hives with a lighter material that still provided thick walls for insulation during winter.
Local Bee also wanted to ensure the materials used in their hives were fully sustainable, leaving no harmful residue and able to return nutrients to the earth.
THE SOLUTION
CREATE COMPONENTS USING MYCELIUM TECHNOLOGY TO CREATE THE NEW HIVE
Local Bee turned to Magical Mushroom Company® to create hive components using mycelium, a breathable material with excellent insulation and condensation control properties.
Mycelium was combined with recycled agricultural byproducts to form inserts and structural components for hives, including parts where bees congregate. These were grown in just a week at MMC’s Esher plant.
The resulting material provided the wall thickness of a traditional log hive while being significantly lighter, enabling easier installation in trees and extended longevity.
THE RESULT
A LIGHTWEIGHT NEW HIVE DESIGN, WIDELY PRAISED FOR FUNCTIONALITY
The mycelium hives, including the Eddie (a national hive) and the Harold (a transitional hive for rewilding honeybees), have been widely praised by apiarists for their functionality and aesthetics.
Mycelium components can be easily replaced if bees swarm, extending the hives’ lifespan while keeping them clean and healthy. Used sections, covered in natural by-products like propolis and beeswax, biodegrade quickly, adding nutrients to the soil.
This circular design ensures a sustainable lifecycle, with mycelium inserts fully compostable within 40 days. The inserts can also be resized to fit other hive designs, like national or langstroth hives.
“Magical Mushroom Company®’s understanding of the process turned the concept of a mycelium hive into a fully manufactured product.
Their knowledge and expertise helped Local Bee achieve the sustainability goals of this project.”
Will Jordan, Hive Designer, Local Bee
