Successful nappy recycling scheme could see district-wide roll out

A 12-week recycling scheme to dispose of nappy and absorbent hygiene product (AHP) in an environmentally friendly way was trialled with overwhelming success.   

East Devon District Council (EDDC) officers are now putting together a business case, in hopes of rolling out a district-wide scheme – looking at the financial viability and environmental sustainability.  

The trial was launched in conjunction with Wales-based company Nappi-Cycle which takes the nappies and AHP and recycles them into material for road surfacing, composite deck boards, and other secondary products.  

This innovative approach has the potential to help East Devon residents to recycle even more – when it already has one of the best recycling rates in country. 

A total of 200 households took part in the project, with 120 properties using collection caddies, 40 using woven bags with grey bin bags inside and 40 using only grey bin bags for their recycling collections. 

Here are the key findings and facts from the trial:   

• 85 per cent of participants presented their nappy sacks or caddies at the kerbside each week, showing strong engagement and support for the scheme.   

• 80 out of 200 households responded to the questionnaire.  

• 100 per cent were satisfied with their container and found it easy to use.  

• 100 per cent were satisfied with collection frequency (14 properties had fortnightly collections, while the rest had weekly).  

• 99 per cent said it was convenient compared to using their black bins.  

• 100 per cent thought it should be rolled out across the district.  

• Six respondents suggested we look at an alternative or redesign to the woven sack as it blew away too easily.  

Comments included:   

• Absolutely this should be rolled out permanently.  

• Sad its finished.  

• Nappy collection prevented our black bin from overflowing.  

• It saved space in our black bin and saved us buying nappy bin refills.  

• Brilliant service.  

How the nappies are recycled:   

Nappi Cycle uses friction washing to break down used nappies and AHPs into clean reusable products.   

The process is run from renewable electricity and uses some clever chemistry with natural minerals. The NappiCycle recycling process emits around 6.5 times less CO₂ emissions than the traditional method of disposing of the products through an Energy from Waste plant (the current disposal route in East Devon). 

Councillor Geoff Jung, EDDC’s portfolio holder for Coast, Country, and Environment, said:  

“If the scheme is viable and given the green light, East Devon could be the first English authority to take up this innovative nappy recycling. Nappies are considered to be one of the largest single problematic products for our residual waste bins, and removing these products and recycling them instead would help our residents and at the same time help the environment too."  

“Following the lead from the Welsh Government, who are forward-thinking when it comes to recycling and the impact on the environment, will see East Devon increase its recycling percentage even higher, to what is already one of the best performing recycling councils in England.”