Every year, over 18 billion disposable diapers pile up in U.S. landfills, where they can take up to 500 years to decompose. These mountains of waste leach microplastics and chemicals into surrounding ecosystems, contributing to one of the dirtiest secrets in modern parenting. But a pair of forward-thinking entrepreneurs believe they’ve found a way to turn this environmental crisis into an opportunity for change—by harnessing the power of fungi.
HIRO Technologies, co-founded by Tero Isokauppila, has launched what they call the world’s first “myco-digestible” diaper. Known as the HIRO MycoDigestible Diaper, each unit comes with a small packet of shelf-stable, plastic-eating fungi. The process is refreshingly simple for busy parents: once the diaper is used, it can be discarded into the trash along with the fungal packet—no special composting or handling required.
The magic begins when the diaper hits the landfill. Moisture triggers the fungi to activate, and they go to work by secreting enzymes that break the carbon bonds in the plastic materials. Over time, the waste is transformed into nutrient-rich soil and mycelium—the root-like structure of fungi that plays a crucial role in natural decomposition processes.
“The response has been nothing short of electric,” says Isokauppila, who is also a pioneer in the $2.7 billion mushroom coffee market. “People are hungry for real solutions, and this one hits home—both literally and globally. If we can break down a diaper, we can break down anything. Once we’ve gained enough market share, we can partner with other brands and bring this technology to the world.”
HIRO’s innovation stands apart from traditional waste management methods, which often rely on energy-intensive processes like incineration or chemical treatment. Instead, the fungi-based approach offers a sustainable, circular solution that aligns with nature’s own recycling methods. This system not only reduces landfill volume but also generates byproducts—such as mycelium—that can enrich soil health.
While the idea of using fungi to digest plastic has been around for more than a decade, previous efforts remained confined to scientific laboratories. HIRO’s breakthrough lies in creating a commercial product with shelf-stable fungal spores, capable of surviving transport and storage without losing potency. This is no small feat, given the challenges of maintaining the right conditions for biological materials.
“It’s literally in mushrooms’ DNA to break down complex carbon materials,” explains Isokauppila. “When fungi first evolved on Earth, they were breaking down rocks long before they ever bothered with trees. They already decompose lignin, which has a similar carbon backbone to plastics. We’ve simply re-trained them to do what they already kind of knew how to do.”
Currently, the diapers are sold through a subscription service priced at $35 per week, which includes a week’s supply of diapers, wet wipes, and fungal spore packets. According to the company, demand has been strong, with parents drawn to the simplicity and sustainability of the solution. HIRO’s team believes this initial success could open doors to applying the technology in other consumer products, further reducing the burden of plastic waste.
In a world increasingly overwhelmed by environmental challenges, HIRO’s fungi-powered diapers stand out as a hopeful sign of how innovation can turn everyday waste into a force for regeneration. By combining nature’s own recycling experts—fungi—with modern product design, this startup is offering parents a small but powerful way to make a difference. And if Isokauppila’s vision holds true, we may soon see fungi taking on an even bigger role in transforming how we manage plastic waste across industries.
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