With the amount of nappies that the world goes through per day, why isn’t creating an environmentally friendly, compostable nappy viable?
Also nappies when used, would be full of waste products. Surely this would make it even easier for the nappy to break down?
In: Biology
Modern diapers are actually pretty impressive feats of materials engineering. They have a lot of different elements that together all but guarantee a leak free and durable solution to your baby’s (or grown-up’s) natural needs.
The key components of a typical disposable diaper include:
1. Outer Shell: The outer layer is typically made of a waterproof and breathable material to prevent leaks and provide comfort. It allows air to circulate while keeping moisture inside.
2. Inner Layer: The inner layer that comes into direct contact with the is designed to be soft and gentle. It often includes a top sheet that wicks moisture away from the baby’s skin to keep it dry.
3. Absorbent Core: The absorbent core is the heart of the diaper, responsible for soaking up and retaining liquid. This core is usually made of a blend of materials such as superabsorbent polymers (SAP), wood pulp, and other absorbent materials. Superabsorbent polymers are particularly effective at absorbing and locking in large amounts of liquid.
4. Leg Cuffs and Waistband: Diapers often have elastic leg cuffs and a stretchy waistband to provide a snug fit and prevent leaks. These features help to contain both solid and liquid waste within the diaper.
5. Fasteners: Most diapers have some type of fastening system, such as adhesive tabs or Velcro-like closures, to secure the diaper in place around the baby’s waist.
4 out of these 5 elements (probably everything except the inner layer) is usually made out of some kind of plastic or other non-compostable material. The outer shell and the Absorbent polymers would be especially difficult to replace, as alternatives are either non-existent or are such a poor substitute to the point of being unviable. This, of course, may change in the future, so fingers crossed.
Currently, the most eco-friendly alternative would probably be cloth reusable nappies (some washing required).
The problem is that we need the nappies to be stored for months as they are transported and ready in warehouses. And they need to be able to handle a lot of abuse while wearing them. Among other they need to be watertight and absorb all the liquids. These requirements are contradictory to being compostable. It is hard to make something watertight and durable and at the same time decompose when you want it, but not before.
Strictly speaking the reusable cloth nappies are actually compostable. These are usually made of wool or cotton which does compost quite nicely. But they are far too expensive to be disposable.
The purpose of a nappy is to absorb and contain liquid. A material that doesn’t dissolve when exposed to water is not likely to break down easily for organisms trying to digest it. It’s basically the same reason we don’t have compostable plastic – the properties that make it desirable and useful are the same properties that make it difficult to decompose.
Of course, there *are* materials that decompose, like cotton. Those are just much more expensive, and easier to wash which makes them better as reusable nappies.
There’s another problem, though, which is the danger associated with human waste. It contains diseases and toxins that we don’t want to expose ourselves to if possible. Putting a lot of it into the soil to compost can contaminate that soil and increase the risk of spreading diseases. Better to either tie it up in a bag and send it off to a dedicated landfill or wash it and send it down the drain.
There are too many components of different materials required. Reusable nappies exist to fill the ecofriendly nappy niche. Happy to answer questions about them- my little one is currently in them.
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