BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — Mycocycle Inc., a leader in using mycoremediation to process toxins out of waste, announced today that it has been named a finalist in the Best World Changing Idea North America and On The Rise categories as part of the 2021 World Changing Ideas Awards.

Now in its fifth year, the World Changing Ideas Awards showcase 33 winners, more than 400 finalists, and more than 800 honorable mentions — with Health and Wellness, AI & Data among the most popular categories. A panel of eminent Fast Company editors and reporters selected winners and finalists from a pool of more than 4,000 entries across transportation, education, food, politics, technology, and more.

“We are honored to be recognized by Fast Company as a company that is creating solutions that are good for the environment,” said Joanne Rodriguez, Mycocycle founder and CEO. “Mycocycle’s vision is to create new circular economies that transform environmentally unstable processes into financially viable material opportunities. Mushrooms will change the way we manage and use waste now and in the future.”

Several new categories were added to the awards, including Pandemic Response, Urban Design, and Architecture. The 2021 awards feature entries from across the globe, from Brazil to Denmark to Vietnam.

“There is no question our society and planet are facing deeply troubling times," said Stephanie Mehta, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. "So, it’s important to recognize organizations that are using their ingenuity, impact, design, scalability, and passion to solve these problems.”