Since their introduction in the 1950s production, demand and use of diapers globally has increased, feeding directly into the increase of solid waste. In the first 2 years of a child’s life, approximately 3796 diapers are used on them. This creates 391.4kg to 537.6kg of excrement waste and 3kg of packaging waste, that is plastics and boxes per child. Diapers contribute 4% of the total solid waste globally and they are the third largest single use product which can be found dominating landfills and dumpsites. Diapers are made of mainly from wood pulp and polyethylene plastics and polyethylene plastic is non-biodegradable, therefore it remains in the environment unless if burnt. The continued use of diapers has over the years led to the accumulation of diaper waste in the environment. Heaps of used diapers populate road sides and dumpsites in communities and towns around the world especially in less economically developed counties where robust waste management principles have not yet been fully implemented. Zimbabwe is one country to mention where diaper waste has become a menace. There is relatively a poor waste collection and disposal system in the country and in most cases waste is dumped on any open space available.
Indiscriminate disposal of diapers being done by mothers and caregivers in different communities across the world contributes to waste generation and pollution. The aesthetics and outlook of the environment are also affected. Most communities are an eye sore.
Flies and other disease carrying vectors find themselves a playground and contribute to the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Some residents with access to latrine toilets tend to dump their diapers in the pit. According to them, they would have done justice to the environment. However, dumping it somewhere one cannot see it does not make it the best option, though it might seem so temporality. The fact still remains, diapers are non-biodegradable and will still remain in the environment.
Exposure to chemicals and toxins is also a cause for concern. As mentioned above diapers are made from wood pulp and polyethylene plastics. The plastics are made from crude oil whilst the wood pulp comes from trees. The processing into diapers utilizes gasoline, chemicals such as chlorine, lime, polyacrylic acid and this leads to release of toxins and air emissions with special mention to greenhouse gases. Dioxins are formed during paper bleaching and diapers contain traces of dioxins. Dioxins are highly toxic and carcinogenic as listed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Diapers also contain traces of Phthalates, an Endocrine Disrupting Compound (EDC) and Tributyl Tin, a heavy metal which impairs the immune system as well as the hormonal system. TBT has been reported to cause sterility in boys and men after exposure. Constant exposure to these chemicals can be dire to those at risk.
The lifecycle of disposable diapers has also been seen to contribute to climate change. The cutting of trees to make wood pulp contributes immensely to climate change through reduction of carbon sinks. The production process release greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change through global warming and lastly the burning of diaper waste in areas where it has largely accumulated contribute as well to the release of greenhouse gases. The environmental quality and health of humans are therefore being compromised by diaper production and indiscriminate diaper waste disposal. There is increased waste generation and pollution and populations run the risk of exposure to chemicals and disease-causing pathogens. As the world is working towards a circular economy, deliberations need to be made on the fate of disposable diapers.
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