Huggies parent and nappy manufacturer Kimberly-Clark is set to expand a nappy recycling trial nationally.
Dubbed ‘The Nappy Loop’ – the trial uses anaerobic digestion to turn the organic materials in used Huggies nappies into nutrient-rich compost while capturing and using bioenergy in the process. Kimberly-Clark says this is the first trial using anaerobic digestion in Australia, however there are other nappy recycling programs operating, including one led by Diaper Recycle.
The program, which has been active since July, has collected and recycled almost two tonnes of used Huggies nappies so far in partnership with the national science agency CSIRO and one of South Australia’s largest composters, Peats Soils and Garden Supplies, Solo Resource Recovery.
Kimberly-Clark ANZ MD Belinda Driscoll said identifying an effective recycling solution hasn’t been easy due to the availability of technology and collection systems
“As Huggies is the most popular nappy brand in Australia, we not only set the standards in baby care, our goal is to set the standards for our industry in sustainability too.”
The used Huggies nappies were collected from G8 Education’s Welly Road Early Learning Centre in Mount Barker, SA.
Ali Evans, the head of early learning and education at G8 Education, said sustainability is a “core focus” in all 440 centres across Australia and added the partnership will leave a positive impact on the environment.
- Further reading: Kimberly-Clark takes sustainability route with reusable swimming nappies.
