Assessment of Used Baby Diapers Composting in Bolivia

Navarro Ferronato,Máximo Lucio Nova Pinedo,Vincenzo Torretta

doi:10.3390/su12125055

Navarro Ferronato, Máximo Lucio Nova Pinedo + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su12125055

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Abstract

Solid waste open dumping in developing countries is a global concern. To move towards sustainable development, mixed waste should be reduced, and recyclable waste recovered. The aim of the current research was to find appropriate solutions to disposable used baby-diapers recycling in Bolivia since it is a waste fraction widely produced and commonly disposed of in open dumps. Composting of the organic diaper hydrogel was assessed in five trials, adding components available locally: cow dung, activated bacteria, and Californian red earthworms (Eisenia fetida). It was observed that about 60 days were globally required for biomass decomposition with cow dung, activated bacteria, and earthworms, and more than 70 days for the treatment of the substrate mixed only with manure, while the diaper hydrogel did not degrade without cow dung. This research is the first that attempted to treat disposable used baby diapers with the vermicomposting process. In general, the outcomes of the research are promising: vermicomposting with cow manure can be a recycling option for disposable used baby diapers, introducing appropriate practices toward a circular economy in developing regions.

Highlights

Waste mismanagement represents a global issue [1,2], and solid waste management (SWM) is still an environmental, economic, and social issue in the 21st century [3]
The research presented in this paper provides the first attempt to find a solution for implementing used baby diapers (UBDs) recycling in developing countries
Though some limitations are detectable due to the scarce resource availability in the area, preliminary results were obtained in order to provide some understanding of the application of the vermicomposting treatment for reducing environmental impact and providing solutions to municipal solid waste (MSW) open dumping

Summary

Introduction

Waste mismanagement represents a global issue [1,2], and solid waste management (SWM) is still an environmental, economic, and social issue in the 21st century [3]. The remaining waste (composed of unrecyclable residues), generally and virtually consisting of about 20–25 wt% of the total, would go to final disposal sites (i.e., sanitary landfills) [10]. These mixed and unrecoverable waste amounts could be used for energy recovery, it is not still a widespread methodology in the developing world [11]. A waste fraction abundant in mixed and unrecyclable portions, and usually not valorized, is disposable baby diapers In developing countries, they are typically disposed of in sanitary landfills or in open dumpsites [13,14], these residues have potentialities to be recovered [15]

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