Plastic-Eating Diaper Fungi

U.S.-based startup Hiro Technologies is taking a bold step toward solving one of the most pressing sustainability challenges in consumer goods with the introduction of MycoDigestible Diapers.These next-generation diapers are embedded with a proprietary plastic-decomposing fungal blend—aptly named SuperHiro Fungi—engineered to break down diaper materials in landfill environments.

With the help of SuperHiro Fungi, these diapers begin breaking down in less than a week. By combining biotechnology and waste-conscious design, the company is pioneering a scalable solution in the fight against long-term plastic pollution.

“Diapers are the number one source of household plastic waste and the third largest contributor to landfills overall,” says co-founder Miki Agrawal, the founder of viral period underwear company Thinx. “Each baby goes through [around] 5,000 diapers. The very first disposable diaper ever made? It’s still in a landfill today. We knew there had to be a better way.”

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