Reducing Plastic Waste, One Diaper At A Time
With 430 million tons of plastic waste generated annually and less than 10% of it recycled, the plastic crisis is out of control. Thankfully, HIRO Technologies is creating a new path forward, powered by an unlikely partner: fungi.
HIRO recently launched the world's first MycoDigestible Diapers (means 'digested by fungi'), a first-of-its-kind product designed to break down in a landfill thanks to fungi-powered decomposition technology.
I had a chance to catch up with Tero Isokauppila, co-founder of HIRO to learn more.
What has the response been thus far with consumers and the broader sustainability community with the MycoDigestible diapers?
The response has been nothing short of electric. We've received thousands of messages, comments, and DMs from parents, environmentalists, and innovators around the world who are excited and inspired by this breakthrough. People are hungry for real solutions, and this one hits home—both literally and globally.
Of course, with anything this disruptive, there's been some healthy skepticism—especially around why we chose to innovate with a plastic-based diaper rather than revert to cloth. For us, the answer is clear: performance and convenience matter deeply for families, especially in the early months. Cloth just hasn't delivered at scale for today's parents, and bamboo diapers are mostly greenwashed and are highly processed—they perform terribly on the baby.
Others have asked for peer-reviewed science, which we're thrilled about. Our first peer-reviewed study is in the works and will be published in 2026. We welcome these questions. Curiosity and accountability go hand in hand with innovation.
This is a new path—so some pushback is expected. But when you're trying to shift an entire industry, that's not a sign to stop. It's proof you're onto something big.Is it safe to assume there are a lot of different use cases where HIRO can play a major role in reducing plastic waste? What are some other areas your company hopes to address?
Absolutely. The potential for fungi-powered solutions is vast. Most disposable diapers are made from the same materials clogging up landfills and oceans: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), super absorbent polymers (SAP), and PET. These are some of the most common—and most persistent—plastics on Earth.
HIRO launched the world's first MycoDigestible Diapers (means 'digested by fungi'), a first-of-its-kind product designed to break down in a landfill thanks to fungi-powered decomposition technology.
HIRO Technologies
Right now, we're laser-focused on the diaper space because it's one of the most emotionally resonant and environmentally urgent problems to solve. But once we've built the infrastructure here, expanding to other non-woven personal care items—like wipes, sanitary products, and even hospital supplies—will be a natural evolution.
Beyond that? We're looking toward systemic waste management solutions. Fungi aren't just good at breaking things down. They're nature's architects of regeneration. And we believe they can help us build a whole new system—one that gives more than it takes.What are your thoughts on plastic taxes and regulations? What are some of the big concerns your company is watching, and how can HIRO help businesses address these challenges?
Plastic waste—and its end-of-life—is still one of the least-regulated areas in the U.S. and globally. While some policies exist, they're often vague, outdated, or inconsistently enforced. We believe that's going to change. And it needs to.
We're watching closely for regulation around diaper waste in particular, as well as broader measures tied to plastic taxes, extended producer responsibility (EPR), and circularity goals. But where we're seeing the most movement is in claims regulation—especially when it comes to compostability and biodegradation. These are hot-button issues, and we're actively navigating that space.
Our aim is to be ahead of the curve, not just compliant. We're working toward our first certified compostability claim in 2026, backed by rigorous science and transparency.
HIRO isn't just a brand. It's a platform for businesses and governments to reimagine waste—not as a problem to hide, but a resource to transform. With the right policy alignment, fungal technology can be a bridge between regulation and regeneration.
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