By Kelvin Kasiwulaya
Gweru, Zimbabwe-In a proactive bid to combat plastic pollution and promote proper solid waste management, the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) has pledged its commitment to raise awareness about the dangers of unhygienic diaper disposal and their devastating effects on the environment.
Recognizing the urgent need to address the negative impact of disposable diapers on the environment, the women’s organization has emphasized that their efforts will be centered on raising awareness, implementing sustainable alternatives, and advocating for stricter regulations.
Disposable diapers contribute to plastic waste and contribute to pollution in landfills and water bodies. According to a report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), approximately 75-85% of used disposable diapers end up in landfills or are incinerated. They are estimated to take around 500 years to decompose. The plastic components of diapers, such as the outer lining and absorbent gel materials, can persist in the environment for an extended period.
Addressing Women at an engagement meeting recently held at Gweru Memorial library to commemorate World Environment Day, WCoZ Gweru Chapter Chairperson Nozipho Rutsate emphasized the urgency of addressing plastic pollution.
“Plastic pollution poses a serious threat to our environment, endangering our ecosystems, wildlife, and even human health. Diapers, in particular, constitute a significant portion of plastic waste in our communities, contributing to the degradation of our surroundings. It is crucial that we educate ourselves about the dangers of improper diaper disposal and take action to minimize plastic pollution,” she said.
Furthermore, Rutsate emphasized the need for active engagement from society, stating, “As responsible citizens, we all have a role to play. By raising awareness about the consequences of unhygienic diaper disposal and encouraging proper waste management, we can collectively address this issue and create a cleaner, more sustainable environment for ourselves and future generations.”
Another WCoZ member, Locadia Mavhudzi, highlighted the importance of awareness, particularly among women, to address diaper pollution effectively.
“As mothers and caretakers, women play a critical role in diaper usage. By spreading knowledge about the environmental impact of plastic diapers and encouraging alternative eco-friendly options, we can significantly reduce the menace of diaper pollution,” Mavhudzi emphasized.
In support of these efforts, Gweru City Council Chairperson for Environment, Trust Chinene, reiterated the council’s commitment to curbing plastic pollution and promoting proper waste management.
“The Gweru City Council is fully aware of the implications of plastic pollution on our environment. We are working tirelessly to implement effective waste management policies, including initiatives aimed at minimizing plastic waste. We encourage residents to actively participate in these efforts and join hands in tackling this dire problem. However, as council we expect residents to abide by the by-laws that protect the environment,” he said
Speaking at the same event Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association GRRA Executive Director Conerlia Selipiwe called upon society to unite in the fight against plastic pollution.
“Plastic pollution threatens our ecosystems and exacerbates global climate change. We must acknowledge the urgency of this issue and work together to find sustainable solutions. By supporting initiatives like WCoZ’s awareness campaign, we take a significant step towards creating a cleaner, healthier planet for all,” he said.
WCoZ plans to collaborate with local businesses, NGOs, and government bodies to implement comprehensive waste management systems that encourage alternatives to disposable diapers. This will involve supporting initiatives promoting reusable cloth diapers, establishing recycling centers, and facilitating the safe disposal of sanitary products.
Since their introduction in the 1950s production, demand and use of diapers globally has increased, feeding directly into the increase of solid waste. In the first 2 years of a child’s life, approximately 3796 diapers are used on them. This creates 391.4kg to 537.6kg of excrement waste and 3kg of packaging waste that is plastics and boxes per child.
Diapers contribute 4% of the total solid waste globally and they are the third largest single use product which can be found dominating landfills and dumpsites. Diapers are made of mainly from wood pulp and polyethylene plastics and polyethylene plastic is non-biodegradable, therefore it remains in the environment unless if burnt.
The continued use of diapers has over the years led to the accumulation of diaper waste in the environment. Heaps of used diapers populate road sides and dumpsites in communities and towns around the world especially in less economically developed counties where robust waste management principles have not yet been fully implemented.
Zimbabwe is one country to mention where diaper waste has become a menace. There is relatively a poor waste collection and disposal system in the country and in most cases waste is dumped on any open space available.
Indiscriminate disposal of diapers being done by mothers and caregivers in different communities across the world contributes to waste generation and pollution. The aesthetics and outlook of the environment are also affected. Most communities are an eye sore.
Flies and other disease carrying vectors find themselves a playground and contribute to the spread of diseases such as cholera and typhoid. Some residents with access to latrine toilets tend to dump their diapers in the pit. According to them, they would have done justice to the environment. However, dumping it somewhere one cannot see it does not make it the best option, though it might seem so temporality. The fact still remains, diapers are non-biodegradable and will still remain in the environment.
Exposure to chemicals and toxins is also a cause for concern. As mentioned above diapers are made from wood pulp and polyethylene plastics. The plastics are made from crude oil whilst the wood pulp comes from trees.
The processing into diapers utilizes gasoline, chemicals such as chlorine, lime, polyacrylic acid and this leads to release of toxins and air emissions with special mention to greenhouse gases. Dioxins are formed during paper bleaching and diapers contain traces of dioxins. Dioxins are highly toxic and carcinogenic as listed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Diapers also contain traces of Phthalates, an Endocrine Disrupting Compound (EDC) and Tributyl Tin, a heavy metal which impairs the immune system as well as the hormonal system. TBT has been reported to cause sterility in boys and men after exposure. Constant exposure to these chemicals can be dire to those at risk.
The lifecycle of disposable diapers has also been seen to contribute to climate change. The cutting of trees to make wood pulp contributes immensely to climate change through reduction of carbon sinks. The production process release greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change through global warming and lastly the burning of diaper waste in areas where it has largely accumulated contribute as well to the release of greenhouse gases. The environmental quality and health of humans are therefore being compromised by diaper production and indiscriminate diaper waste disposal.