Dirty diapers born again in Japan recycling breakthroughA pilot project in Japan is reusing the main ingredient in nappies to make new ones. (Photo: AFP)SHIBUSHI — Billions of dirty diapers end up buried or burned every year in Japan -- more from seniors than babies -- but a recycling breakthrough has given them a new lease of life, one hot mess at a time. The group predicts Japan will throw away 2.6 million tonnes of dirty diapers every year by 2030, up from around 2.2 tonnes in 2020. By that date, the share of dirty diapers in Japanese trash by weight will rise to 7.1% from 5.2% in 2020, the environment ministry said. By 2030, the national government wants at least 100 of more than 1,700 municipalities to start recycling diapers, or at least talk about it.

Source: Bangkok Post March 25, 2026 05:26 UTC