Could Iowa Homes and Roads Be Built with Recycled Diapers?
Has recycling gone too far or is this just what we need to help our overflowing landfills?
Building With Diapers
Recently, some researchers have suggested a potential solution for two pressing issues in rapidly growing cities: an excess of non-biodegradable waste and a shortage of construction materials. This involves utilizing the former to supplement the latter.
Researching
A research team in Japan has now confirmed that sanitized, recycled disposable diapers can be added to concrete and mortar to meet Indonesian building standards. This is particularly beneficial as there is a great demand for affordable housing due to the swelling urban population and a lack of adequate accommodations. Naturally, the influx of people to urban areas contributes to an increase in waste production.
I don't know if I've ever been so conflicted. I get it, anything we can do to help reduce waste is needed, but are there any concerns for us?
According to this scientific report:
The experimental results indicate that disposable diapers waste to use as composite materials of the building has a maximum capacity of 10% for structural components and 40% for nonstructural and architectural components.
Basically, they are saying roads and load-bearing walls could only contain 10% of the poop-filled diaper bombs. But, the non-load bearing walls could be made with up to 40%. That's nearly half of the wall composed of old diapers. I guess that would make it a "load-filled" non-load-bearing wall.
Concerning
Are there sanitary concerns? We're talking about diapers, you know, stink bomb pouches of bodily waste. I would want to be sure every contamination and sanitation step was taken before I move into that home.