Adult incontinence products are a larger and faster growing waste issue than disposable infant nappies (diapers) in Australia

Brewster, Emma Thompson; Rounsefell, Beth; Lin, Fangzhou; Clarke, William P.; O’Brien, Katherine R.

doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2022.07.038

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…However, the current ES fiber presents significant environmental challenges due to its difficulty in directly degrading the natural environment. The short life cycle and high waste rate of disposable sanitary products contribute to severe pollution when these products are discarded 8,9 . Therefore, it is crucial to develop new environmentally friendly biodegradable core‐sheath composite fibers to minimize the adverse environmental impact of disposable sanitary products and promote sustainable development goals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation, structure, and properties of biodegradable core‐sheath composite fibers derived from poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) and polylactic acid

Nie,

Hua,

Wang

et al. 2024

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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The non‐biodegradability of Ethylene‐Propylene Side‐by‐Side (ES) fibers has led to significant environmental pollution from waste sanitary products, thereby posing a severe challenge to the environment. Replacing traditional non‐biodegradable materials with biodegradable polymeric materials is the most effective method to achieve a green environment. In this study, core‐sheath fibers composed of biodegradable poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT) as the sheath layer and polylactic acid (PLA) as the core layer were fabricated. The effects of different viscosity ratios and the composite ratios of sheath and core on the structure and performance of the resultant core‐sheath fibers were investigated in detail. The results showed that when the PBAT/PLA composite ratio is 50:50 and the viscosity ratio range from 0.8 to 1.43, the PBAT/PLA core‐sheath composite fibers exhibit good spinnability and a complete core‐sheath structure, with their tensile properties comparable to those of PP/PE core‐sheath composite fibers. Further research found that when the viscosity ratio was 1.00 and the PLA component content in the PBAT/PLA composite fibers increased from 40% to 60%, the fibers still maintained good spinnability and a complete core‐sheath structure. In addition, when the PBAT/PLA composite ratio was 60:40, after 120 days of biodegradation, its strength retention rate was only 35.2%.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparation, structure, and properties of biodegradable core‐sheath composite fibers derived from poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) and polylactic acid

Nie,

Hua,

Wang

et al. 2024

J of Applied Polymer Sci

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show abstract

“…The adverse effects impair the quality of the health system and generate financial impacts due to the additional costs and the increase in hospital stays for the treatment of the skin damage incurred 3 . Additionally, the use of absorbent pads generates waste that pollutes the ecosystem 12,13 , and they can also pose additional medical expenses for the patient and/or their family 14,15 . Furthermore, they generate an increased burden of care for health personnel and/or family members due to the time and effort spent on changing absorbent products, hygiene and skin care 3 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Patients’ experience in the unnecessary use of absorbent continence products: a small experiential qualitative study

Sandra Guerrero Gamboa,

Garzón

2023

wcet

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Objective To describe the lived experience of a small group of inpatients arising from the unnecessary use of absorbent continence products in a hospital in Bogotá, Colombia.Method A qualitative and phenomenological study. Interviews were undertaken with consenting participants as well as participant observations until data saturation occurred. Subsequently, all data were transcribed and analysed based on Husserl's Methodology to derive themes and categories of the phenomenon seen. Subjects and settingA selective sample of seven continent people without previous use of absorbent continence products and with mild disability, according to the PULSES profile, were recruited from the internal medicine service of a high complexity hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. ResultsAs a result of the data analysis, five themes or categories arose: getting into an unknown world; looking for care; submitting to using an absorbent continence product; my body's reaction to using an absorbent continence product; and adapting or trying to recover my independence. ConclusionsThe lived experience of patients who were required to unnecessarily wear absorbent incontinence products while in hospital and the ensuing detrimental effect on their psychological and physical wellbeing are described. Health professionals, whilst under time and other constraints, need to understand the patients' perspective and their desire to maintain independence with their elimination needs when in hospital. The unnecessary use of absorbent incontinence products is not best practice, is not economical healthcare, and it potentially has adverse effects on the environment.

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“…Currently, most absorbent hygiene products used in Australia end up in landfill. 1 From a technical engineering perspective, there are other potentially more sustainable options for their disposal, but determining the "best" waste disposal pathway for the Australian context is multi-faceted. In order to evaluate a better disposal pathway, we need to map where and how much of this waste is being produced (and will be generated into the future).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Methods AHP waste generated from adult use (~600 kt/y) already outnumbers that generated by infants (~150 kt/y), and the quantity of adult AHP use will increase as our population ages (and birth rates are estimated to stay consistent). 1 Considering a substantial amount of AHP waste is generated by populations over 65, demographics can help inform where to target efforts. 67% of Australian's live in capital cities, and the fraction for the percentage of Australians over 65 living in capital cities is the same.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The end-of-life of used pads in Australia – who is filling up the bin?

T Brewster,

Rounsefell,

Lansbury

et al. 2024

ANZCJ

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Adult incontinence products are a larger and faster growing waste issue than disposable infant nappies (diapers) in Australia

Cited by 6 publications

References 23 publications

Preparation, structure, and properties of biodegradable core‐sheath composite fibers derived from poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) and polylactic acid

Preparation, structure, and properties of biodegradable core‐sheath composite fibers derived from poly (butylene adipate‐co‐terephthalate) and polylactic acid

Patients’ experience in the unnecessary use of absorbent continence products: a small experiential qualitative study

The end-of-life of used pads in Australia – who is filling up the bin?

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