MONC EYEWEAR
REFRAMING SUSTAINABILITY: MONC AND MAGICAL MUSHROOM COMPANY® CREATE MYCELIUM EYEWEAR PACKAGING
REFRAMING EYEWEAR
MONC, founded by Freddie Elborne, is reframing the eyewear industry by prioritising quality, craftsmanship, and sustainability alongside aesthetics. Designed in London and handcrafted in Northern Italy, MONC’s circular approach includes sourcing local materials, producing in micro-batches, and partnering with top artisans.
MONC’s Chiltern Street store reflects their commitment to sustainability, featuring bio-based, recycled, and salvaged materials that leave no trace. To further align with this ethos, MONC collaborated with Magical Mushroom Company® to introduce mycelium packaging for their eyewear—a solution that protects products, reduces environmental impact, and enhances customer experience.
“MYCELIUM PACKAGING BYPASSES OUR BROKEN RECYCLING SYSTEM.”
THE PROBLEM
INCREASED PRODUCT PROTECTION AND REMOVE RECYCLING CONFUSION
Prior to introducing mycelium packaging, MONC used cardboard boxes made from recycled coffee cups. While this was a sustainable start, the boxes were not protective enough to ensure safe delivery consistently.
Additionally, the responsibility of disposal fell on the customer, relying on a broken recycling system where significant amounts of waste are incinerated or mismanaged, causing further environmental harm.
MONC needed a packaging solution that offered superior protection, reduced reliance on flawed recycling systems, and aligned with their sustainability mission.
THE SOLUTION
MYCELIUM PACKAGING THAT DELIVERS PROTECTION AND COMPOSTABILITY
Magical Mushroom Company® developed bespoke mycelium boxes for MONC, grown from agricultural waste bound with mycelium.
These boxes are home-compostable within 45 days, leaving no harmful residue and nourishing the soil. They also provide superior protection for MONC’s handcrafted eyewear, ensuring safe delivery and a premium customer experience.
The velvety texture of the mycelium packaging complements MONC’s brand aesthetics, doubling as a display box for customers to reuse and extending the synergy between the packaging and the Chiltern Street store’s sustainable interiors.
THE RESULT
REINFORCED MONC’S POSITION AS A LEADER IN SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION
The switch to mycelium packaging significantly reduced product damages during delivery and improved customer satisfaction.
MONC launched a micro-campaign to engage their community, showcasing the mycelium packaging process through video content and workshops. Collaborating with the Caley Brothers, they created a living mushroom window display and hosted educational events, further amplifying awareness about fungi and sustainability.
This collaboration reinforced MONC’s position as a leader in sustainable innovation within the eyewear industry, while taking the responsibility of disposal away from the customer and into the hands of nature.
“By using Mycelium packaging, we are able to bypass this country’s broken recycling system and take full responsibility for the impact our packaging will have, from production to end of life.”
Freddie Elborne, Founder, MONC Eyewear
