Living with a newborn means producing a lot of dirty nappies. Although having to manage them will never be a fun activity, it doesn't necessarily have to ruin your day either. Whether they are thrown in the trash at home or on the go, or composted locally, disposable nappies can be handled as pleasantly and safely as possible.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Throw Out the Diapers at Home
Step 1. Do not throw diapers in the recycling bins
Regardless of where you live and how important recycling is to you, remember that diapers are normally not recyclable. Recycling plants need to handle tons of diapers and separate them from other waste to make sure they don't contaminate recyclable materials like paper and plastic. If you threw the diapers in the recycling bins, the whole system would become less efficient and more expensive.
If you are concerned about the ecological impact of diapers (after all, disposable ones decompose over a period of 500 years) try to buy brands classified as eco-sustainable or biodegradable
Step 2. Purchase a separate pedal bin for diaper disposal
It is necessary to keep them separate from the rest of the garbage and food scraps, so it is essential to have a separate, washable container with a lid. Buy one with a pedal to open the lid without having to touch it with dirty hands; Also be sure to line it with a plastic bag so the garbage doesn't touch the sides.
- Even if you have a closed closet or closet to store the diaper bin, make sure the container is childproof. Buy one tall and heavier on the bottom, so that the child cannot turn it over or open it.
- Some parents prefer to buy a bin (the so-called nappy eater) that seals each nappy in a single bag. If you opt for this option, be aware that this system will probably not completely eliminate the odors and related hygiene hazards, but will only limit them.
Step 3. Throw the stool down the toilet
Eliminating them from the diaper before disposing of it will reduce odors and bacteria, and will also ensure that the bin does not fill too quickly. Using gloves or a small piece of toilet paper, remove the firmer stools with one hand and flush it down the toilet.
Depending on where you live, this step may not be necessary. In Italy, for example, disposable diapers - together with their content - are considered municipal solid waste, so they can be disposed of without first having to be emptied of any solid waste
Step 4. Wrap the diaper around the dirty inner layer
To prevent the contents from spilling and dirtying the bin, wrap it on itself in a tight roll and use the adhesive strips on the sides to seal it.
Step 5. Throw the wrapped nappy into the bin, then close the lid
Storing dirty nappies in a special resealable bin will prevent the bacteria contained in the waste from contaminating other surfaces and objects in the house. Simply make sure you put the diaper back in the bin using the pedal, as opening the lid with your hands could contaminate the latter, as well as the outer surface of the container.
If you are wearing latex gloves to protect your hands, throw them in the bin along with your nappy as well
Step 6. Remove the plastic bag from the bin when it is full
As soon as the bin is full, you should transfer the bag to a bin outside the home. Do not wait for it to be packed or overflowing, as this may increase the risk of bacterial contamination.
If you're short on space, empty the contents and transfer it to a bin outside your home, or buy a second bin to store excess trash
Step 7. Sanitize the inside of the bin with soap and disinfectant
When the container is empty, clean the inside with soap and water to remove dirt, then spray it with a household disinfectant or bleach to kill germs and bacteria.
If you notice a persistent odor inside the bin even after cleaning and disinfecting it several times, try sprinkling baking soda, cloves or some coffee grounds on the bottom. Even the antistatic sheets for the dryer and the American coffee filters can help mitigate the most persistent odors
Method 2 of 3: Dispose of Diapers Outside the Home
Step 1. Add some airtight plastic bags to your baby changing bag
You probably already have a bag containing everything your baby needs, such as nappies, snacks, wipes and toys. To always have the ability to dispose of nappies discreetly and safely, put a few sturdy plastic bags in your bag and make sure you renew your supply daily.
Plastic bags with zip closures are particularly useful, as they retain waste and moisture inside in case you have to hang around for an extended period of time. You can also find scented bags at many children's stores and supermarkets
Step 2. Wrap the used diaper inside a plastic bag
It is not essential to perform this step when you are at home, but it is essential to do it on the go. Put the diaper inside one of the bags you brought with you and seal it before looking for a suitable basket to throw it in.
If you are near a bathroom, you can throw any feces in the toilet before closing the diaper to limit its volume and odor
Step 3. Look for a garbage can that is located in a suitable place
It may seem that all waste can be disposed of in the same way, but try to think for a moment: throwing a diaper at someone's home, restaurant, office, or outside the window is neither hygienic nor appropriate. Throw the bag with dirty diapers only in a bin located outdoors or in a bathroom; if you are staying at a friend's house, ask them where you can throw it away.
If none of these hygienic alternatives are immediately available, you will need to keep the bag until you find one
Step 4. When you are out in nature, store your dirty nappies in a separate bag
It is polluting waste if left outside, so you will need to take it with you while you are camping, hiking or other outdoor activities. If this idea disgusts you, use a public campground or use well-maintained paths that provide trash cans.
Method 3 of 3: Dispose of the diapers in the compost
Step 1. Check the local laws and services available in the area where you live
While in most cities around the world, disposable nappies have to be thrown into landfill bins, some cities are trying to reduce waste by providing composting services. In Toronto, for example, used nappies (such as cat litter and animal waste) can be disposed of in separate bins that are conveyed to composting plants.
Be sure to read the local composting service's rules carefully to make sure it also accepts diapers. In fact, most cities in Italy run composting programs that collect food scraps and other organic waste, but not diapers
Step 2. Evaluate if you have the option of composting at home
If you have a garden and a compost bin, you can probably make your own compost with diapers, as long as they are certified as compostable, otherwise consider contacting a composting service if they are present in your city. These are services that collect used diapers and convey them to a composting plant to dispose of them.
Just make sure not to dispose of diapers in compost for the garden, but in what you use exclusively for flowers, shrubs and other plants not suitable for consumption, as these are waste rich in bacteria
Step 3. Separate piss wet diapers from solid waste diapers
Composting is a great way to reduce this type of waste, but it should only be done with urine-soaked diapers. Professional composting plants accept both types of waste, as they are able to reach the temperature necessary to exterminate bacteria, while home composting does not.
Dispose of diapers that contain solid waste in the usual way
Step 4. Tear the diaper in half so that the padding comes out
When you have pissed-wet diapers for 2-3 days straight, put on a pair of gloves and take them out into the compost bin. Hold the nappy over the composter to tear it off, starting with the side worn by the baby on the front. The padding is completely compostable and, in most cases, made of sodium polyacrylate and wood pulp, or cellulose.
The diaper lining, made of plastic and paper, is not compostable: set it aside and throw it along with the diapers that contain solid waste
Step 5. Mix the padding inside the composter
With the help of a shovel or a long hoe, distribute it inside the container, so that it is not all piled up in one place. Make it penetrate inside the surface layer of compost, so that the fibers begin to disintegrate.
Step 6. Cover any visible stuffing with compost or compost
A well-functioning compost will disintegrate the materials that make it up without producing any odor. To make sure that the diaper padding begins to disintegrate as soon as possible, spread a thin layer of soil or compost on top of it. If you do this correctly, you should get visible results within a month.
Warnings
- Always wash your hands after changing a diaper or touching used diapers because they contain bacteria.
- The padding of the diaper is not irritating to the skin, however the airways may be sensitive to the inhalation of small particles when you open it. Wear a face mask if you feel discomfort, but don't worry - it's not a toxic material.
