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http://dx.doi.org/10.7844/kirr.2015.24.1.43

Economic and Technological Feasibility Study on Pre- and Post-Consumer Recycling of Disposable Diaper in Korea  

Ahn, JoongWoo (Department of Interdisciplinary Eco-Science, SungShin Women's University)
Kim, YoungSil (Department of Next Generation Applied Science, SungShin Women's University)
Publication Information
Resources Recycling / v.24, no.1, 2015 , pp. 43-50 More about this Journal
Abstract
An extensive literature survey and personal communication with relevant experts made it possible to understand economic and technical feasibility of disposable diaper recycling. Commercial level of soiled diaper recycling technology is currently available from a Dutch company, Knowaste Co., who owns a proprietary separation technology of the pulps, plastics and super absorbing polymer (SAP). In Korea, on the other hand, pre-consumer diaper recycling technology without material separation at its infancy converts manufacturing scraps into refuse plastic fuel (RPF), container/truck cargo boards or automobile boards/sheets. Although previous studies on feasibility of post-consumer recycling in Korea showed mutually contradictory implication, it was found out in this research that significantly positive economic feasibility can be obtained with pre-consumer diaper recycling. Subsequent recycling R&D including pre-consumer scrap and policy support may expedite 'Establishment of Sustainable Society.
Keywords
diaper waste; recycling; economic and technical feasibility;
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  • Reference
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