In the southwest of Japan, Unicharm Corp., a major hygiene products maker, has introduced the world’s first “horizontally” recycled disposable diapers at shopping centers. These diapers were created with the concept of “horizontal recycling,” where used products are reproduced into their original item. The company collaborated with two local governments in Kagoshima Prefecture to recycle the diapers using a specially designed process that involves the use of ozone to eliminate bacteria and odors.
Unicharm 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, expressed the company’s commitment to transforming a resource-intensive standard into a cyclical one. The diapers have been approved by experts for their hygiene. A packet of 42 diapers for children costs 1,078 yen ($7), slightly more expensive than the company’s regular disposable ones.
In April 2024, Tsutomu Kido was holding some of Unicharm’s products in Kumamoto Prefecture. The company is committed to reducing waste and promoting sustainability through its innovative recycling process.