In a major step towards sustainable hygiene practices, Unicharm Corp., a leading Japanese diaper manufacturer, has introduced the world’s first “horizontally” recycled disposable diapers at shopping centers in the southwest of the country. These innovative diapers are part of the company’s concept of “horizontal recycling,” where used products are transformed into their original item.
Unicharm collaborated with two local governments in Kagoshima Prefecture to develop this groundbreaking process, which uses ozone to eliminate bacteria and odors from used diapers. The company began manufacturing recycled adult diapers in 2022, initially providing them to hospitals and care homes for the elderly.
Tsutomu Kido, senior executive officer of Unicharm, spoke about the company’s commitment to transforming a resource-intensive standard into a cyclical one. The recycled diapers have been approved by experts for their hygiene and quality, and a packet of 42 diapers for children costs 1,078 yen ($7), slightly more expensive than Unicharm’s regular disposable ones.
The photo shows Tsutomu Kido holding some of Unicharm’s products in Kumamoto Prefecture on April 20, 2024. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce waste and promote sustainable living among consumers in Japan and beyond.
