Texas Startup Launches Fungi-Powered Diapers Breaking Down Plastic Waste

Hiro Technologies, a startup based in Austin, Texas, has developed MycoDigestible Diapers, which incorporate fungi to accelerate the biodegradation of disposable diapers and reduce landfill waste. These diapers come with a packet of fungi that is activated by moisture from feces, urine, and the environment, initiating the breakdown of plastic materials that typically take centuries to decompose. The innovation draws on research showing that over 100 species of fungi can break down plastics, including the polyurethane-degrading fungus Pestalotiopsis microspora, which can survive in oxygen-deprived landfill conditions. Co-founder Tero Isokauppila explained that fungi evolved to decompose lignin in trees, which has a chemical structure similar to plastics, making fungi especially suited to this task. While the technology is still being researched to determine decomposition rates across different climates, the product is already available online and has attracted attention from eco-conscious consumers and investors. This fungi-powered approach offers a promising, nature-inspired solution to the significant environmental problem posed by disposable diaper waste.