Latest news with #MycoDigestibleDiapers
NDTV
6 hours ago
- Health
- NDTV
US Firm Uses Fungi To Develop Formula To Break Plastic In Baby Diapers
A US-based start-up has come up with a sustainable solution for environmental issues linked to disposable diapers. The company, Hiro Technologies, said that they have developed MycoDigestible Diapers, which is a fungi-powered decomposition technology. The Texas startup company said that baby poop and fungi would work together to break down the plastic. "We have figured out how to collaborate with nature's ancient technology — decomposer fungi — to support the breakdown of the HIRO Diaper," the website of Hiro Technologies noted. How will this disposable diaper work? The company said that each MycoDigestible Diaper comes with a packet of fungi, which is supposed to be added to the dirty diaper before throwing it away. The fungi are activated by moisture from faeces, urine and the environment to begin the process of biodegradation after a week or two. The company is selling "diaper bundles" for $35 a week online. Disposable diapers contribute significantly to landfill waste, taking up to 300-500 years to decompose. They emit greenhouse gas methane and contaminate groundwater. If not disposed of properly, the diapers can also pollute water bodies and spread viruses and bacteria. The company said that they analysed the stages of decomposition of a treated diaper over time in three sealed jars. The product looked like black soil in nine months. Scientists have conducted several studies to understand various aspects of fungi. Earlier this year, in February, a study found that a Hawaiian marine fungus is capable of plastic degradation. Researchers at Yale University in 2011 identified a fungus (Pestalotiopsis microspora) that is capable of consuming polyurethane, a plastic polymer. Drawbacks of using diapers Several health experts have said that chemicals and synthetic materials in disposable diapers can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions and rashes. Infrequent changing and prolonged exposure to urine and stool can lead to diaper rash, regardless of the diaper type.
Straits Times
15 hours ago
- Science
- Straits Times
Texas startup sells plastic-eating fungi diapers to tackle landfill waste
Hiro Technologies Co-Founder Miki Agrawal poses with a diaper and a pouch full of plastic-eating fungi at her company's laboratory, in Austin, Texas. PHOTO: REUTERS AUSTIN, Texas - Could baby poop and fungi work together to tackle landfill waste? That's the idea behind a new product launched by an Austin, Texas-based startup that sells disposable diapers paired with fungi intended to break down the plastic. Each of Hiro Technologies' MycoDigestible Diapers comes with a packet of fungi to be added to the dirty diaper before it is thrown in the trash. After a week or two, the fungi are activated by moisture from feces, urine and the environment to begin the process of biodegradation. Disposable diapers contribute significantly to landfill waste. An estimated 4 million tons of diapers were disposed of in the United States in 2018, with no significant recycling or composting, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Diapers take hundreds of years to naturally break down. That means the very first disposable diaper ever used is still in a landfill somewhere. To tackle this, Hiro Technologies turned to fungi. These organisms - which include mushrooms, molds, yeasts and mildew - derive nutrients from decomposing organic matter. In 2011, Yale University researchers discovered a type of fungus in Ecuador that can feed on polyurethane, a common polymer in plastic products. They figured the fungus, Pestalotiopsis microspora, would be capable of surviving on plastic in environments lacking oxygen, like landfills. Hiro Technologies co-founder Tero Isokauppila, a Finnish entrepreneur who also founded medicinal mushroom company Four Sigmatic, said there are more than 100 species of fungi now known to break down plastics. 'Many, many moons ago, fungi evolved to break down trees, especially this hard-to-break-down compound in trees called lignin. ... Its carbon backbone is very similar to the carbon backbone of plastics because essentially they're made out of the same thing,' Mr Isokauppila said. Three sealed jars at Hiro Technologies' lab show the stages of decomposition of a treated diaper over time. By nine months, the product appears as black soil - 'just digested plastic and essentially earth,' Mr Isokauppila said. The company says it needs to do more research to find out how the product will decompose in real-world conditions in different climates and hopes to have the data to make a 'consumer-facing claim' by next year. It also plans to experiment with plastic-eating fungi on adult diapers, feminine care products and other items. For now, it is selling 'diaper bundles' for US$35 a week online. Co-founder Miki Agrawal, who was also behind period underwear company Thinx, said the MycoDigestible Diapers had been generating excitement from consumers and investors since launching about a month ago, declining to give details. Ms Agrawal said the company had chosen to focus on diapers as the top household plastic waste item. 'There is a deleterious lasting effect that we haven't really thought about and considered,' Ms Agrawal said. 'Because when you throw something away, no one's asking themselves, 'Where's away?'' REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Al Etihad
21 hours ago
- Science
- Al Etihad
American startup develops plastic-eating fungi diapers to tackle landfill waste
17 June 2025 00:20 AUSTIN (REUTERS)Could baby poop and fungi work together to tackle landfill waste? That's the idea behind a new product launched by an Austin, Texas-based startup that sells disposable diapers paired with fungi intended to break down the of Hiro Technologies' MycoDigestible Diapers comes with a packet of fungi to be added to the dirty diaper before it is thrown in the trash. After a week or two, the fungi are activated by moisture from feces, urine and the environment to begin the process of diapers contribute significantly to landfill waste. An estimated 4 million tons of diapers were disposed of in the United States in 2018, with no significant recycling or composting, according to the Environmental Protection take hundreds of years to naturally break down. That means the very first disposable diaper ever used is still in a landfill tackle this, Hiro Technologies turned to fungi. These organisms - which include mushrooms, molds, yeasts and mildew - derive nutrients from decomposing organic 2011, Yale University researchers discovered a type of fungus in Ecuador that can feed on polyurethane, a common polymer in plastic products. They figured the fungus, Pestalotiopsis microspora, would be capable of surviving on plastic in environments lacking oxygen, like Technologies co-founder Tero Isokauppila, a Finnish entrepreneur who also founded medicinal mushroom company Four Sigmatic, said there are more than 100 species of fungi now known to break down plastics."Many, many moons ago, fungi evolved to break down trees, especially this hard-to-break-down compound in trees called lignin. ... Its carbon backbone is very similar to the carbon backbone of plastics because essentially they're made out of the same thing," Isokauppila sealed jars at Hiro Technologies' lab show the stages of decomposition of a treated diaper over time. By nine months, the product appears as black soil - "just digested plastic and essentially earth," Isokauppila company says it needs to do more research to find out how the product will decompose in real-world conditions in different climates and hopes to have the data to make a "consumer-facing claim" by next also plans to experiment with plastic-eating fungi on adult diapers, feminine care products and other now, it is selling "diaper bundles" for $35 a week online. Co-founder Miki Agrawal, who was also behind period underwear company Thinx, said the MycoDigestible Diapers had been generating excitement from consumers and investors since launching about a month ago, declining to give said the company had chosen to focus on diapers as the top household plastic waste item. "There is a deleterious lasting effect that we haven't really thought about and considered," Agrawal said. "Because when you throw something away, no one's asking themselves, 'Where's away?'"
