Published in Nature Sustainability, a new paper from University College London’s Dr Elze Porte and Prof Mark Miodownik explores a major, yet largely unrecognized, source of plastic waste – absorbent hygiene products, which include child diapers, adult incontinence products and period products.
These products contain substantial amounts of plastic, are materially complex and are socially engrained in essential hygiene and healthcare practices. The publication analyses research priorities for the creation of sustainable systems for absorbent hygiene product provision. Porte and Miodownik’s analysis, which is global and interdisciplinary in scope, addresses nuances in high- and low-income settings, and identifies important opportunities for scientists to help avert the unfolding absorbent hygiene product crisis.
Read the paper here.