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Recycling plastic and cellulose from diapers and absorbent hygiene products

Last updated: Aug 10, 2021

Summary

Knowaste has been researching and developing waste treatment technology for processing absorbent hygiene products since the 1990's. Today our engineers have translated this experience into a custom made and practical solution. Within an air controlled and clean working environment, we take delivery of the materials in a dedicated receiving bay. The waste is shredded, separated and using advanced thermal treatment technology, the waste material is sterilised. The plastics continue through granulation and multiple-washing stages before being pelletised to be used, in new products such as plastic components or as an ingredient in composite materials replacing concrete and steel. The fibres are washed, dried and processed for use in pet litter, concrete and tarmac additive, brick manufacture and insulation materials.

Problem

Today, more than 96 per cent of parents use disposable diapers (verses cloth) for convenience. A child in diapers will generate approximately one ton of diaper waste prior to being toilet trained. The Sierra Club estimated that 18 billion disposable diapers are generated annually in the United States, using up four per cent of landfill space (according to U.S. EPA). In addition to diaper waste, the large (and growing) number of aging people using absorbent hygiene products (AHP) of various kinds contributes further to the problem.

Solution

Knowaste Technologies has patented technologies for the recycling of absorbent hygiene products, including disposable baby diapers, incontinence products and disposable bed liners, into sanitized reusable paper pulp and plastic components.