Texas startup develops biodegradable diapers made from plastic-eating fungi to reduce landfill waste.

AUSTIN — Addressing the pressing issue of landfill waste, an Austin, Texas-based startup, Hiro Technologies, has launched a new product designed to tackle the environmental impact of disposable diapers. This innovative solution involves MycoDigestible Diapers, which come equipped with fungi that aim to facilitate the biodegradation of the plastic components within diapers.

The launch of these diapers is significant given the environmental challenges posed by traditional disposable options. Statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency indicate that in 2018 alone, an estimated 4 million tons of diapers were disposed of in landfills across the United States. These products can take centuries to decompose, with the very first disposable diaper still present in landfill sites today.

Hiro Technologies has engineered a unique system that incorporates a packet of fungi within each diaper. Parents are instructed to add this packet to the diaper before disposal. The moisture from urine, feces, and environmental conditions propels the fungi into action, initiating the biodegradation process within approximately one to two weeks. The fungi are specifically chosen for their ability to breakdown organic matter, making them well-suited for this application.

This initiative is founded on scientific research, including a notable 2011 discovery by Yale University researchers, who identified a particular fungus, Pestalotiopsis microspora, in Ecuador that can thrive on polyurethane, a prevalent plastic used in many consumer products. Hydro Technologies’ co-founder, Tero Isokauppila, noted that more than 100 species of fungi have now been recognized for their capacity to degrade plastics, highlighting an opportunity to harness natural processes for waste management.

In preliminary laboratory tests, treated diapers have shown promising results, decomposing into a substance resembling black soil after nine months—a transformation attributed to the fungi digesting the plastic material. However, further research is necessary to assess the effectiveness of this product in varied climate conditions, and the company aims to provide comprehensive data for consumer claims within the next year.

Currently, Hiro Technologies retails these innovations as “diaper bundles” priced at per week. Co-founder Miki Agrawal, who previously established sustainable brands such as Thinx, expressed optimism regarding consumer and investor interest, emphasizing that diapers represent the largest component of household plastic waste. She remarked on the broader implications of our waste disposal habits, succinctly questioning the ultimate fate of thrown-away products.

As environmental sustainability becomes an increasingly urgent concern, the innovative integration of biology with everyday products like diapers may represent a significant step toward more responsible waste management solutions.