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

吸水性卫生产品(AHP)是典型的一次性产品，广泛用于英国和世界各地的家庭、医院和疗养院。联合国报告称，一次性尿布是全球塑料垃圾的最大来源之一[1]。AHP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垃圾[2]。由于人口增长带来的高出生率，目前全球纸尿裤市场规模超过710亿美元。在像英国这样尿布消费稳定的国家，老龄化人口正在推动社区、医院和疗养院成人尿失禁产品的消费增加[1]。一次性产品的成分与尿布和尿失禁产品相似，也是塑料垃圾的重要驱动因素[3]。可重复使用的产品存在于英国的所有产品类别中，虽然它们本身对环境有重大影响[4]，但LCA表明它们产生的塑料垃圾更少。然而，它们只占市场的一小部分。减少失禁的策略，如大小便失禁训练或使用湿度传感器，以减少对大小便失禁产品的需求，但它们尚未被广泛采用。办公室(根据法律)对时期产品废物进行单独收集，但这些废物被送去焚烧或填埋。在男厕所收集AHP没有互惠法律，但在60岁至之间的工作人员中，有11%的人使用尿失禁垫。由于这种产品类型(和湿巾)冲洗的增加，污水系统的堵塞以及环境污染也增加了。因此，在全球范围内反映的英国的情况是，塑料垃圾流失控：分散成许多产品类型和处置路线，没有一个形成一个可持续优化的连贯系统。在这个项目中，我们将以我们的前期工作和广泛的合作伙伴关系为基础，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Assessments.https://www.lifecycleinitiative.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/UNEP-D003-Nappies-Report_lowres.pdf[2]贝拉斯科·佩雷斯等人的建议。(2021年)。废物管理和吸水性卫生产品的环境影响：review.https://doi.org/10.1177/0734242X20954271[3]欧洲零废物(2019年)。一次性月经产品、婴儿尿布和湿巾的环境和经济成本：调查这些一次性产品在整个欧洲的影响。Https://zerowasteeurope.eu/library/the-environmental-economic-costs-of-single-use-menstrual-products-baby-nappies-wet-wipes/；[4]英国政府(2005年)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.

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.