TY - JOUR
T1 - Open defaecation by proxy: Tackling the increase of disposable diapers in waste piles in informal settlements
AU - White, Hannah L.
AU - Mwapasa, Taonga
AU - Mphasa, Madalitso
AU - Kalonde, Patrick
AU - Feasey, Nick
AU - Oliver, David M.
AU - Ormsby, Michael J.
AU - Morse, Tracy
AU - Chidziwisano, Kondwani
AU - Quilliam, Richard S.
PY - 2023/4/23
Y1 - 2023/4/23
N2 - Disposable diapers are becoming increasingly popular and present an emerging challenge for global waste management, particularly within LMICs. They offer a cheap and convenient way for caregivers to manage child excreta; however, insufficient understanding of safe disposal methods, combined with limited access to waste management services results in hazardous disposal. Used diapers are being increasingly found dumped in the open environment, including in water bodies and in open fields, leading to faecal contamination of the environment and an enhanced risk of transmission of faecal-oral diseases such as cholera and typhoid. United Nations SDG 6 aims to end open defaecation globally by 2030; however, improper disposal of used diapers will hamper progress towards reaching this goal. In this review, we identify current trends in use and subsequent disposal of single use disposable diapers in LMICs, and critically discuss the environmental and public health impacts of current practices, and potential solutions to address these challenges. Contemporary methods for managing the disposal of single use diapers for communities in LMICs tend to be cost prohibitive with few alternative options other than dumping in the environment. Modern cloth diapers offer a low waste alternative to disposable diapers but often carry an unaffordable high upfront cost. Here, in addition to advocating improved efforts by governments to upgrade access and quality of waste management services, we recommend the design and implementation of intervention schemes aimed to increase awareness of safe and hygienic disposal practices for disposable diapers.
AB - Disposable diapers are becoming increasingly popular and present an emerging challenge for global waste management, particularly within LMICs. They offer a cheap and convenient way for caregivers to manage child excreta; however, insufficient understanding of safe disposal methods, combined with limited access to waste management services results in hazardous disposal. Used diapers are being increasingly found dumped in the open environment, including in water bodies and in open fields, leading to faecal contamination of the environment and an enhanced risk of transmission of faecal-oral diseases such as cholera and typhoid. United Nations SDG 6 aims to end open defaecation globally by 2030; however, improper disposal of used diapers will hamper progress towards reaching this goal. In this review, we identify current trends in use and subsequent disposal of single use disposable diapers in LMICs, and critically discuss the environmental and public health impacts of current practices, and potential solutions to address these challenges. Contemporary methods for managing the disposal of single use diapers for communities in LMICs tend to be cost prohibitive with few alternative options other than dumping in the environment. Modern cloth diapers offer a low waste alternative to disposable diapers but often carry an unaffordable high upfront cost. Here, in addition to advocating improved efforts by governments to upgrade access and quality of waste management services, we recommend the design and implementation of intervention schemes aimed to increase awareness of safe and hygienic disposal practices for disposable diapers.
KW - Child faeces
KW - Environmental pollution
KW - Faecal-oral diseases
KW - Single use plastic
KW - Sustainable waste management
U2 - 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114171
DO - 10.1016/j.ijheh.2023.114171
M3 - Review article
SN - 1438-4639
VL - 250
SP - e114171
JO - International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
JF - International Journal of Hygiene and Environmental Health
M1 - 114171
ER -
