Can we use old nappies to build houses?

Old nappies could be soon be used to build houses. Yes, you read that correctly…

In a recent study found that old shredded nappies would be a sustainable alternative for up to 8% of the concrete and mortar used in housebuilding.

Scientists from the University of Kitakyushu, Japan, who led the research, said that using nappies would not only reduce the carbon footprint of the new builds, but also means fewer nappies would end up into landfills.

The study, which was published in the journal Scientific Reports, explains that using disposable nappies would not impact the structural integrity of the property, nor would it pose a health risk to the inhabitants.

Due to their composition, most nappies have to be disposed in landfill or by incineration. Hence, using them in the mixture is a highly sustainable approach.

“Compared to other waste management methods such as incineration and co-firing, the recycling of disposable diapers as concrete components has more significant benefits regarding carbon emissions and eco-costs. As a result, the study intends to tackle the problem of housing provision by creating building materials from non-degradable waste, which is cost-effective while meeting building standards,” the study reads.

During the trial, scientists combined washed, dried, and shredded disposablke nappy waste with cement, sand, gravel, and water, curing the samples for 28 days. The six samples were tested for durability to see how much pressure they could take before breaking. They also calculated the percentage of sand that could be replaced with nappies within the building materials.

They said: “The research also demonstrated that the mechanical properties and microbial content of disposable diaper concrete, in specific compositions, are identical to conventional concrete. Adding 1% diaper to concrete enhances internal curing hydration and produces the most robust, durable material. In addition, a mixture of up to 5% disposable diapers with concrete had the maximum strength at 28 days compared to other percentages.”

Here at Pillar Partnership, we’re always excited to see innovation in the construction sector (especially initiatives that promote sustainability!). Keep an eye on our blog to stay in the loop when it comes to industry news.

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