Fungi tackles tough waste
A Texas startup has launched a nappy that breaks down in landfill with the help of this new plastic-buster.
A disposable nappy that breaks down in landfill has been unveiled in the US and its creators plan to scale their spore-powered solution globally.
HIRO Technologies developed the fungi-based solution that's designed to dramatically accelerate the decomposition of nappies.
If it proves successful, the Texas startup's patented, shelf-stable product could radically change the game for this type of plastic waste.
According to HIRO, traditional disposable nappies can take up to 400 years to break down and each baby uses an estimated 6,000 nappies before toilet training, making them the largest household plastic waste item and the third most common product found in landfill.
The startup said it unveiled the fungi-based solution after four years in stealth mode. At the heart of its 'MycoDigestible' nappy system is the HIRO Pouch which contains a proprietary blend of plastic-degrading fungi.
These are added to the used nappy at changing time. From there, nature takes over with the fungi breaking down the nappy’s materials over time in landfill.
“HIRO’s vision is to be the global supplier of plastic-eating fungi, transforming how we approach plastic disposal”
The nappies also use unbleached cotton and softwood fluff pulp sourced from sustainably managed forests, in contrast to conventional options that rely on synthetic and bleached materials.
Plastic-eating fungi were first discovered by Yale researchers in 2011, but HIRO says it's the first company to take the discovery out of the lab and into consumers’ hands in a shelf-stable form.
The company, which was co-founded by serial entrepreneurs Miki Agrawal and Tero Isokauppila, has launched a Kickstarter campaign to scale the technology globally.
Beyond the bum
The nappies are just the first in a planned line of soft plastic products built on this technology. The startup ultimately aims to work with manufacturers, brands, and waste management companies to address plastic pollution at scale.
“HIRO’s vision is to be the global supplier of plastic-eating fungi, transforming how we approach plastic disposal and creating a future where nature itself can undo humanity’s environmental footprint,” the company said.
HIRO’s patented fungi technology is housed in the HIRO Pouch – a small packet of shelf-stable, plastic-eating fungi that is added to the baby’s dirty nappy after it’s changed. This pouch decomposes the nappy and other plastics around it. The fungi can do this by secreting enzymes that sever the carbon chains in plastic, transforming it over time into healthy soil and mycelium.
