The Comfort Loop: A systems approach for sustainable absorbent hygiene products

吸收性卫生产品（AHPs）是典型的一次性产品，广泛用于英国和世界各地的家庭，医院，护理院。联合国报告称，一次性尿布是全球塑料垃圾的最大贡献者之一[1]。AHPs平均占全球各国剩余MSW（城市固体废物）的8-11%，相当于数百万吨塑料废物[2]。目前全球纸尿裤市场超过710亿美元，这是由于人口增长导致的高出生率。在像英国这样的尿布消费稳定的国家，人口老龄化正在推动社区，医院和护理院中成人失禁产品的消费增加[1]。一次性经期用品的成分与尿布和失禁用品相似，也是塑料废物的重要驱动因素[3]。可重复使用的产品存在于英国的所有产品类别中，虽然它们本身具有显著的环境影响[4]，但LCA表明它们产生的塑料废物较少。然而，这只是市场的一小部分。减少策略，如尿失禁训练，或使用湿度传感器来减少对失禁产品的需求是可用的，但它们尚未被广泛采用。办公室（依法）提供了对定期产品废物的单独收集，但这些废物将被送往焚烧或填埋。在男厕中收集AHPs并没有相互的规律，但11%的60-64岁的男性工人使用失禁垫。由于冲洗这种产品类型（和湿巾）的增加，污水系统的堵塞以及环境污染增加。因此，英国的情况反映在全球范围内，是塑料废物流失控：分散成许多产品类型和处置路线，没有一个形成可以可持续优化的连贯系统。在这个项目中，我们将建立在我们的初步工作和广泛的合作伙伴关系，进行基础研究，为英国设计一个可持续的AHP系统。[1]环境署（2021年）。一次性尿布及其替代品：生命周期评估的建议。https：//www. lifecycle initiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UNEP-D 003-Nappies-Report_lowres.pdf[2] Velasco Perez et al.（2021）。吸收性卫生产品的废物管理和环境影响：综述。https：//doi.org/10.1177/0734242X20954271 [3]欧洲零废物（2019）。一次性月经用品、婴儿尿布和湿巾的环境和经济成本：调查这些一次性用品在欧洲的影响。https：//zerowasteeurope.eu/library/the-environmental-economic-costs-of-single-use-menstrual-products-baby-nappies-wet-wipes/; [4]英国政府（2005）英国一次性和可重复使用尿布的生命周期评估。https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposable-and-reusable-nappies-in-the-uk-life-cycle-assessment的网站。

Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHPs) are typically disposable products widely used in homes, hospitals, care homes across the UK and worldwide. The UN reported that disposable nappies are one of the biggest contributors to plastic waste globally [1]. AHPs represent on average 8-11% of the residual MSW (Municipal Solid Waste) of countries globally, equating to millions of tonnes of plastic waste [2]. The current global nappy market exceeds US$71 billion fuelled by high birth rates from population increase. In countries like the UK where nappy consumption is stable, aging populations are driving increasing consumption of adult incontinence products in the community, hospitals and care homes [1]. Disposable period products have a similar composition to nappies and incontinence products and are also a significant driver of plastic waste [3]. Reusable products exist in the UK in all product categories, while they have significant environmental impacts of their own [4], LCAs show that they create less plastic waste. However, they are a small proportion of the market. Reduce strategies, such as continence training, or the use of wetness sensors to reduce the need for the incontinence products are available but they have not been widely adopted. Separate collections for period product waste are provided in offices (by law) but these are sent for incineration or landfill. There is no reciprocal law for collecting AHPs in men's toilets, and yet 11% of working men aged between 60-64 use incontinence pads. As a result of the increase in flushing this product type (and wipes) there is increased blockages in sewage systems as well environmental contamination. Thus, the picture in the UK, which is reflected globally, is of a plastic waste stream out of control: fragmented into many product types and disposal routes, none of which form a coherent system that can be sustainably optimised. In this project we will build on our preliminary work and extensive partnerships to undertake the fundamental research to design a sustainable AHP system for the UK. [1] UNEP (2021). Single-use nappies and their alternatives: Recommendations from Life Cycle Assessments.https://www.lifecycleinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UNEP-D003-Nappies-Report_lowres.pdf[2] Velasco Perez et al. (2021). Waste management and environmental impact of absorbent hygiene products: A review.https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X20954271[3] Zero Waste Europe (2019). The Environmental & Economic Costs of Single-use Menstrual Products, baby Nappies & Wet Wipes: Investigating the impact of these single-use items across Europe. https://zerowasteeurope.eu/library/the-environmental-economic-costs-of-single-use-menstrual-products-baby-nappies-wet-wipes/; [4] UK Government (2005) Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies in the UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/disposable-and-reusable-nappies-in-the-uk-life-cycle-assessment.