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

Comfort Loop：可持续吸收性卫生产品的系统方法

• 批准号: EP/Y003993/1
• 负责人: Mark Miodownik
• 金额: $ 186.48万
• 依托单位: University College London
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2023
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2023 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FY003993%2F1
• 关键词: Comfort; Loop; systems; approach; sustainable

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.

吸收性卫生用品 (AHP) 通常是一次性产品，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废物的最大来源之一[1]。 AHP 平均占全球各国残余 MSW（城市固体废物）的 8-11%，相当于数百万吨塑料废物 [2]。由于人口增长带来的高出生率，目前全球尿布市场规模超过 710 亿美元。在英国等尿布消费量稳定的国家，人口老龄化正在推动社区、医院和护理院成人失禁产品的消费量不断增加[1]。一次性经期产品与尿布和失禁产品的成分相似，也是塑料废物的重要驱动因素[3]。英国所有产品类别中都存在可重复使用的产品，虽然它们本身对环境有重大影响[4]，但生命周期评估表明它们产生的塑料废物更少。然而，它们只占市场的一小部分。减少策略，例如失禁训练或使用湿度传感器来减少失禁产品的需求，但尚未得到广泛采用。办公室（根据法律）提供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。没有关于在男厕所收集 AHP 的互惠法律，但 11% 的 60-64 岁的职业男性使用失禁垫。由于冲洗这种产品类型（和擦拭巾）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（在全球范围内也是如此）是塑料废物流失控：碎片化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，我们将在我们的前期工作和广泛的合作伙伴关系的基础上进行基础研究，为英国设计一个可持续的 AHP 系统。 [1] 环境署（2021）。一次性尿布及其替代品：生命周期评估的建议。https://www.lifecycleinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UNEP-D003-Nappies-Report_lowres.pdf[2] Velasco Perez 等人。 （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。