Kao and Kyoto University establish carbonized recycling of used disposable diapers

 Since January 2021, Kao and Kyoto University have been conducting demonstration experiments to establish a "carbonized recycling system for used paper diapers" with the cooperation of Saijo City, Ehime Prefecture, and by 2023, they will be working on carbon materials. Establish conversion technology and aim for social implementation after 2025.

By carbonizing, carbon is immobilized on carbides, so CO2 generated when burned can be reduced, leading to a reduction in the environmental load.

In order to establish a recycling system, it is indispensable to develop a carbonization device for used disposable diapers and to convert carbonized used disposable diapers to carbon materials. By advancing this initiative, CO2 emissions will be emitted. We will contribute to reducing the environmental load by reducing the amount.

If the development of carbonization equipment progresses, it will be possible to efficiently carbonize with a small amount of energy input (low temperature reaction), and since the volume of used disposable diapers will be reduced, it will be possible to reduce the frequency of recovery. It is said that hygiene problems will be solved by sterilizing and deodorizing with carbonization.

In the development of the "carbonization device", we proceeded with research on carbonization of each material used in disposable diapers as a basic experiment and analysis of carbides, and confirmed that carbon can be fixed in high yield.

Based on the results, Kao proceeded with the development of a new "carbonization device" based on the existing diaper processing equipment and swill carbonization equipment that have been used in nursing care facilities, etc., and in November 2021. A newly developed "carbonization device" was installed in a nursery facility in Saijo City.

At the introduced childcare facility, the amount of garbage generated and the amount of work done by nursery teachers are checked for about a month, and the average amount of used disposable diapers generated is about 7 kg per day, and the amount of work is one day. It was found that one-time use and about once-monthly collection are appropriate. In other words, the nursery teacher puts the used diapers for one day into a "carbonization device" and operates them, and collects the carbonized paper diapers once a month to complete the series of work.

In addition to the recycling system, Kao will install baby diapers "Mary's" in childcare facilities where demonstration experiments will be conducted from August to November in order to verify the reduction of the burden on parents and childcare workers by providing diapers at childcare facilities. Provided. Parents said, "I was saved because I didn't have to prepare diapers every day," and nursery teachers said, "I saved time when I was in a hurry."

In the future, we will collect carbonized used disposable diapers and proceed with research to convert them into carbon materials at Kao and Kyoto University, aiming to establish conversion technology by 2023. We will also consider building a resource recycling system in Saijo City. We will continue to study infrastructure such as installation bases and collection methods for "carbonization equipment" for the social implementation of recycling systems after 2025.