Ishita Roy

Japan Made World's First Toilet Paper From Used Diapers, Is It Safe?

Toilet paper out of used diapers in Japan

Of the many firsts, Japan made world's first toilet paper from used diapers. These are now sold in seven retail locations in Kagoshima Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture, both in Japan's Kyushu. It is an environment friendly alternative.

This was done in collaboration of a team of local governments and private firms in Japan. Spearheaded by the city of Shibushi and the town of Osaki the project began in last April, as the used diapers were separated from the routine waste streams.

The two cities collected around 98 tonnes of diapers and other used hygiene products and they were then sanitized, bleached, and shredded into a pulp to be mixed with already available recycled paper. This took place at the Poppy Paper Company's plant in the Fukuoka Prefecture. 

In the first batch, 30,000 rolls were created and are now sold at $2.70 per dozen. As reported in Japan's oldest English-language newspaper, the Mainichi, Satoshi Yoshida from Poppy Paper's sales department said, "This initiative could help diversify the ways to secure raw materials, especially as used paper supplies are expected to decline with the rise of paperless systems and a shrinking population."

There are other use of a recycled diapers. It can be used as an additive for concrete in place of sand as it showed increased strength in the end product. It also offers a recycled material alternative to sand that is cheaper than other market options.

As per a 2019 study published in Reprod Toxicol, diapers contain phthalate contents, which is a group of chemicals that are used to make plastics more flexible and durable. As per a Harvard TH Chan Q&amp;A featuring Russ Hauser, Fredrick Lee Hisaw Professor of Reproductive Physiology notes that when phthalates were studied in animal models, it was found to be anti-androgenic, which means it decreases testosterone. 

Hauser also notes that prenatal exposure can also effect children's neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral outcomes. 

While recycling diapers can be beneficial, the process can be energy-intensive and require a significant water usage, as notes a 2014 study titled Treatment of the biodegradable fraction of used disposable diapers by codigestion with waste activated sludge, which could in return impact the environment.

What happens when diapers are recycled, is they undergo a special treatment that makes it possible to separate plastics and recovers the biodegradable fraction (BFD), which is made of cellulose. 

The risk comes at the process of recycling, as the toxic contents like phthalates, dioxins, and fragrances that can leach out during processing and come into contact with the skin when using the recycled tissue paper, potentially causing allergic reactions, skin irritation, and endocrine disruption, especially for vulnerable populations like infants and people with sensitive skin. 

There is a possibility that the superabsorbent polymer in diapers might not fully break down during the recycling process, leaving microplastics that can be inhaled or ingested when using the tissue paper. 

However, with the strict quality control and ethical recycling can ensure that the process is with due diligence to ensure safety for everyone.

Health Conditions A-Z

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toilet paper

used diapers health

health in japan

diaper tissue paper

recycled diapers

japan health

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Of the many firsts, Japan made world's first toilet paper from used diapers. These are now sold in seven retail locations in Kagoshima Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture, both in Japan's Kyushu. It is an environment friendly alternative.How Was It Carried Out?This was done in collaboration of a team of local governments and private firms in Japan. Spearheaded by the city of Shibushi and the town of Osaki the project began in last April, as the used diapers were separated from the routine waste streams.The two cities collected around 98 tonnes of diapers and other used hygiene products and they were then sanitized, bleached, and shredded into a pulp to be mixed with already available recycled paper. This took place at the Poppy Paper Company's plant in the Fukuoka Prefecture. In the first batch, 30,000 rolls were created and are now sold at $2.70 per dozen. As reported in Japan's oldest English-language newspaper, the Mainichi, Satoshi Yoshida from Poppy Paper's sales department said, "This initiative could help diversify the ways to secure raw materials, especially as used paper supplies are expected to decline with the rise of paperless systems and a shrinking population."There are other use of a recycled diapers. It can be used as an additive for concrete in place of sand as it showed increased strength in the end product. It also offers a recycled material alternative to sand that is cheaper than other market options.Are There Any Health Concerns?As per a 2019 study published in Reprod Toxicol, diapers contain phthalate contents, which is a group of chemicals that are used to make plastics more flexible and durable. As per a Harvard TH Chan Q&A featuring Russ Hauser, Fredrick Lee Hisaw Professor of Reproductive Physiology notes that when phthalates were studied in animal models, it was found to be anti-androgenic, which means it decreases testosterone. Hauser also notes that prenatal exposure can also effect children's neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral outcomes. While recycling diapers can be beneficial, the process can be energy-intensive and require a significant water usage, as notes a 2014 study titled Treatment of the biodegradable fraction of used disposable diapers by codigestion with waste activated sludge, which could in return impact the environment. What happens when diapers are recycled, is they undergo a special treatment that makes it possible to separate plastics and recovers the biodegradable fraction (BFD), which is made of cellulose. The risk comes at the process of recycling, as the toxic contents like phthalates, dioxins, and fragrances that can leach out during processing and come into contact with the skin when using the recycled tissue paper, potentially causing allergic reactions, skin irritation, and endocrine disruption, especially for vulnerable populations like infants and people with sensitive skin. There is a possibility that the superabsorbent polymer in diapers might not fully break down during the recycling process, leaving microplastics that can be inhaled or ingested when using the tissue paper. However, with the strict quality control and ethical recycling can ensure that the process is with due diligence to ensure safety for everyone.