Used diapers and sanitary pads: a nightmare for the environment. The solution to this problem could be found in an unexpected ally: cattle manure, which combined with "good" bacteria, could transform this bulky waste into precious compost. It sounds absurd, I know, but a team of Indian researchers is working on it. Let's see together how.
The problem of medical waste
Disposable sanitary pads (AHPs), such as diapers and pads, are now ubiquitous in both the “developed” and developing world, having largely supplanted washable and reusable alternatives. However, this convenience comes at a price: these products represent a growing waste disposal problem.
The problem with AHPs is that they are not biodegradable, unless pre-treated, nor easily recyclable, not least due to the organic waste they contain. They accumulate in landfills and waste disposal areas, contributing to environmental pollution.
Take the study's place of origin: Chennai, India. There, every year more than 250 tons of this waste ends up in landfills. And a team from the local university, led by Namasivayam Vasudevan, has found an unexpected (but widespread) ally. I'll link the study here, and now hold your nose.
Cattle manure
Vasudevan and his team studied how cattle manure, a readily available byproduct of livestock farms around the world, could be used to efficiently compost used diapers and pads. The idea may seem bizarre at first glance, but cattle manure is rich in microorganisms that could potentially decompose medical waste.
The team tested the composting process over a 60-day period, recording chemical and physical changes in pH, moisture content, carbon-nitrogen ratio and nutrient levels. The results? Notable: Compost derived from AHPs exhibited neutral pH, optimal moisture content, and adequate nutrient levels. In practice, very favorable factors for the composting.
Environmental benefits
In addition to the positive chemical properties, the composting process has led to a significant reduction in the volume and mass of waste, from 70% to 85%. This suggests that even if the resulting compost was not suitable for soil, the process would still significantly reduce the space AHPs take up in landfills.
Further studies are needed to optimize the process, this “manure” composting method could offer a more environmentally friendly solution for AHP disposal. Reducing the volume of waste and transforming it into a less polluting product is an important step towards sustainable waste management.
Flowers grow from manure
In a world struggling with even extreme (or dangerous) solutions to various environmental crises, the idea of using such a widespread resource as cattle manure to address the AHP problem is a brilliant example of lateral thinking. It demonstrates that, with creativity and diligent research, we can find surprising and innovative ways to address environmental challenges.
Of course, some will turn up their noses. Someone else won't react like this, perhaps because they closed their nose with a clothespin. Be that as it may, and I never thought I'd write this: give manure a chance.
