Disposable Diapers Made Degradable By Growing Mushrooms On Them
- 10 years ago
Scientists discover disposable diapers can be made biodegradable by growing mushrooms in them.
Disposable diapers are considered nearly indestructible and can remain in landfills for hundreds of years.
Researchers from the Autonomous Metropolitan University in Mexico found a way to degrade these diapers using oyster mushrooms.
Diapers containing only liquid waste were sterilized and ground up along with coffee grounds and other organic materials.
Fungus spores and fertilizer were then added, and the whole mixture was put in plastic bags and kept in a damp room.
Three months later, mushrooms had grown within the bags, while the majority of diaper material had disappeared.
Diapers are made with cellulose, a plant-based material mushrooms feed off of.
The mushrooms were able to reduce the weight and volume of the diaper by 80 percent.
Fortunately, these mushrooms are not meant for human consumption, but they could potentially be used in cattle feed.
According to the US Census Bureau, four million babies are born each year in the US alone. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates each baby goes through approximately 8,000 diapers before they're potty trained.
Disposable diapers are considered nearly indestructible and can remain in landfills for hundreds of years.
Researchers from the Autonomous Metropolitan University in Mexico found a way to degrade these diapers using oyster mushrooms.
Diapers containing only liquid waste were sterilized and ground up along with coffee grounds and other organic materials.
Fungus spores and fertilizer were then added, and the whole mixture was put in plastic bags and kept in a damp room.
Three months later, mushrooms had grown within the bags, while the majority of diaper material had disappeared.
Diapers are made with cellulose, a plant-based material mushrooms feed off of.
The mushrooms were able to reduce the weight and volume of the diaper by 80 percent.
Fortunately, these mushrooms are not meant for human consumption, but they could potentially be used in cattle feed.
According to the US Census Bureau, four million babies are born each year in the US alone. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates each baby goes through approximately 8,000 diapers before they're potty trained.