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Research indicates that it takes 500 years for disposable nappies to decompose, while South Africa generates 900 000 tons of nappies annually. This poses a significant challenge for the country as nappies often end up in the environment due to inadequate waste management systems.

The 2024 study confirming these shocking statistics is by Professor Rinie Schenck, Chitaka and others from the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies of Children, Families, and Society (CISCFS). Prof Schenck spoke at the launch of the Absorbent Hygiene Products (AHP) Waste Forum held on Thursday, 20 November, at UWC.

AHPs, such as used diapers and sanitary towels, are problematic waste materials and can become a significant social and environmental health risk in South Africa, where municipal refuse collections are irregular, insufficient or unavailable.

The launch of the AHP Waste Forum’s interim committee on 20 November was a crucial step in addressing the challenges faced in curbing the impact on people’s living spaces. The Forum was co-chaired by CISCFS representatives Prof Schenck and Dr Marc Kalina, with Hugh Tyrrell from GreenEdge Consultancy and Belinda Langenhoven, a retired employee of the Department of Environment Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP), as members of the interim committee.

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Dr Kalina stated that the unequal access to safe and reliable waste management services in South Africa, with some communities receiving regular collection while others do not, is extremely problematic and has been growing. 

“We're either getting no waste management services, such as in rural areas where people have to make their own plan, or in urban settlements or townships where the waste management services are not nearly adequate for the number of people living there,” said Dr Kalina.

“And as a result, there's an immense amount of waste that ends up in the environment, and apart from protecting people’s dignity, people have to live in communities full of their own waste, with consequences for people, particularly children’s health and the environment.”

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He explained that the purpose of the forum is to bring all stakeholders together in one room, create a platform and a national voice to tackle and discuss the current development of a national AHP waste management strategy. 

“There are many people across the country engaged in various activities and numerous studies and collection projects, for example. At UWC, we've really been putting together a lot of the academic research in this regard.”

The initiative began in 2021 with comprehensive research processes and projects aimed at understanding the situation with nappy waste. The team had collected substantial data to ensure that solutions were built on solid research foundations.

Prof Schenck spoke about the lack of waste management services in rural and informal areas, particularly, with approximately 40% of people lacking access to these services. “Since nappies cannot be burned, residents often resort to burying them or disposing of them in rivers and open spaces, leading to environmental contamination,” said Prof Schenck.

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The meeting concluded by setting out an agenda for the forum’s engagement over the next few years, with a focus on assisting the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and Environment (DFFE) in the drafting of the National AHP Waste Management Strategy, as well as supporting the existing collection projects across the country.

Officials from the DFFE provided an update on the national AHP Waste Management Strategy, which would provide guidance on addressing this challenging waste material and help ensure a clean and healthy environment for citizens. 

The meeting was funded by Kimberly-Clark, a major producer of disposable nappies, and was brought together by diverse stakeholders, including government departments (DFFE and Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (DEADP), producers, retailers, NGOs and community members, to collaboratively develop solutions to the challenge through a research-based strategy.