A nimble parent may be able to change a nappy in moments, but the end-product can languish in a landfill for centuries. Now fungi, nature’s decomposers, are being enlisted to speed up the job. Their enzymatic prowess is attracting entrepreneurs who think mushrooms can do what modern recycling can’t, both for the planet and their portfolios.
Start-ups promoting “mycoremediation” say fungi can break down materials that defeat traditional recycling, from plastics to petrochemical residue. Mycelium — the threadlike root structure of fungi — secretes enzymes capable of dismantling complex carbon-based molecules. In the wild, that means rotting logs. In throwaway societies, the hope is that the same chemistry can be weaponised against some of humanity’s refuse.
Nappies make good candidates because of their number and their persistence. Globally, about 157bn end up in landfills every year, resulting in millions of tonnes of waste. Hiro, a Texas-based start-up, offers a “MycoDigestible” nappy into which the changer inserts a pouch of fungi before throwing the soiled item away. After a week or two, the fungi are activated by moisture and begin digesting the plastic components of the nappy. Hiro claims decomposition times fall from centuries to under a year.