A recent study highlights the potential of utilizing old diapers as a substitute for sand in concrete and mortar. The research suggests that in the future, up to 8% of the sand traditionally used in constructing a small single-story house could be replaced with processed used diapers. Remarkably, the process developed by the researchers achieves this substitution without significantly compromising the structural integrity of the building materials. This innovative approach offers a sustainable solution to reduce waste while maintaining construction quality. [2]

Figure 1. Baby Diaper.

Figure 1 shows baby’s diaper. The authors of the study see this process as an innovative solution to aid in the construction of affordable housing worldwide. By utilizing old diapers as a valuable resource, it has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of diaper waste sent to landfills or incinerated each year. Considering that millions of tons of diapers are discarded annually, this approach could have a substantial environmental impact. The integration of diaper recycling into construction materials not only addresses waste management but also offers an opportunity to create sustainable and cost-effective housing solutions. [2]

In the study conducted by Siswanti Zuraida and her team, they employed a process involving washing, drying, and shredding disposable diapers along with cement, sand, gravel, and water to create the new concrete and mortar. The samples were then subjected to a curing period of 28 days, after which the team tested six samples with different proportions of diaper waste to assess their pressure resistance. By analyzing the results, they determined the maximum amount of sand that could be substituted with disposable diapers in the construction materials required for building an Indonesian-standard 388 ft2 (36-square-meter) house. [2]

The study reveals that disposable diaper waste has the potential to replace a considerable portion of sand typically used in building construction. In the case of a three-story house, columns and beams can see up to a 10% substitution of sand with diaper waste. However, for a single-story house, this proportion can increase significantly to 27%. Moreover, when it comes to mortar used in partition walls, disposable diapers can replace as much as 40% of the sand, while floors and garden paving may only see a 9% substitution. These findings demonstrate the versatility and potential of using diaper waste as a sustainable alternative in various construction applications. [2]

Overall, up to eight percent of sand in all concrete and mortar materials required for a 388 ft2 (36-square-meter) single-story house can be replaced with disposable diaper waste, which amounts to around 1.7 cubic meters of waste. Impressive. [2]

The authors suggest that if their findings are to be widely implemented, it would require the participation of various stakeholders in government and waste treatment to develop processes for the large-scale collection, sanitization, and shredding of diaper waste. Moreover, modifications in building regulations would be necessary to enable the utilization of diaper waste as a construction material. [2]

References:

1. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-32981-y
2. https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/used-diapers-concrete-mortar
3. https://www.popsci.com/technology/diaper-concrete-homes/

Cite this article:

Hana M (2023), From Waste to Wonder: Transforming Disposable Diapers into Sustainable Structural Marvels, AnaTechmaz, pp.434