Abstract:
Waste management is a crucial priority issue for all countries in this environmentally
conscious era. Proper waste management of disposable diapers is one of the issues
at the forefront. The unprecedented growth of the world urban population has left
many cities grappling with disposable diapers clogging landfills. It is a problematic
issue that if not mitigated could overburden existing waste management systems.
This mini-review article aims to critically review relevant life cycle assessment studies
(LCA) on single-use disposable diapers and the environmental impact incurred
at each stage of its life cycle. Different technical and non-technical disposable diaper
waste management approaches have been explored in literature, but studies
directed towards pyrolysis conversion of disposable diapers post-consumer waste
are notably very scarce. The review further examines the potential of pyrolysis as an
end-of-life waste management option for disposable diapers. Finally, this study highlights
gaps in the literature and recommends the scope for future research.
