• Resources Recycling
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 2015

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.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.29-38
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• 2017

This study suggests optimal policy options for collection of used diapers through benchmarking of foreign countries and perception surveys. By conducting a survey, this study can identify the actual problems involved in the collection process and enhance the social acceptance toward diaper recycling policies. As a perception survey result, the economic burden of emission bags and sanitary issues were most important for the collection pilot test. Respondents thought that twice-a-week collection frequency was appropriate and that free emission bags might be preferable to participants. Currently municipal wastes are subject to waste management laws, which are applied by local governments. Diaper waste is categorized with municipal waste, so it seems to be treated by municipal waste systems. In terms of connection with government, possible alternatives were suggested to identify the relevant local government. Useful data could be obtained, to determine the economical viability of any future diaper recycling system implementation in the entire Seoul metropolis and adjacent areas of dense population.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.16-26
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• 2015

This study aims to suggest possible policy options for collection of post-consumer diapers as a sustainable prerequisite to implementation of public recycling system with the desktop monitoring results and analysis of collection cost involved. By conducting a diaper collection pilot test on daycare centers and households in the Seoul Nowon-gu, this study revealed that the odor issues did not stand out as an important hindering factor and that the collection rate was the largest contributing factor regarding collection costs. The exploratory cost analysis result shows that the implemented recycling system must guarantee collection rate over 50% via twice-a-week collection frequency, to be comparable or even superior to the current food waste collection cost. Also the pilot demonstration test showed that the final collection rate can be achieved as much as over 50%. The promising data thus obtained cost economically viable future diaper recycling system implementation in the entire Seoul metropolis and adjacent areas of dense population. With the concomitant development of recycling technology and related infrastructure for systematic collection of diaper waste, it makes our society much more sustainable.

• Korean Journal of Microbiology
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.126-132
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• 2015

Three different methods (simple washing of plastic and pulp sample, washing after direct heating of the diapers, and the heating after washing of plastic and pulp sample) were carried out to decrease total coliforms and heterotrophic plate count (HPC) in the diaper's plastic and pulp. Plastic and pulp samples were obtained from diaper by treatment with 10% $CaCl_2$ and 4% sea salt water, dilution with 1,000 ml tap water, and draining by using sieves. Three times washing was the most appropriate for the reduction of microorganisms in plastic and pulp. By three times washing, the number of total coliforms in the plastic and pulp samples showed 92.8% and 99.8% of decrease, respectively, and the number of HPC showed 97.3% of decrease in the plastic and 98.5% of decrease in the pulp. The washing after direct heating of the fecal contaminated diapers was not effective because HPC in the plastic and pulp samples were still detected about 2-3 log CFU/g in the plastic and 1-2 log CFU/g in the pulp, respectively, even after heating at $60^{\circ}C$, $80^{\circ}C$, $100^{\circ}C$ for 12 h. Meanwhile, total coliforms and HPC were completely sterilized at $80^{\circ}C$ for 4 h by heating after washing of plastic and pulp samples, suggesting that this method was the most appropriate method for the reduction of microorganisms in plastic and pulp obtained from fecal contaminated diapers.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.26-36
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• 2024

Lesch-Nyhan syndrome (LNS) is an Clinical symptoms can range from mild to severe depending on residual enzyme activity and genetic mutations. In Korea, 27 cases of LNS have been reported. We report the results of an 11-year comparative follow-up of two cases of children who visited because of pink diapers, one who died from LNS with no residual enzymes and one case with partial residual enzymes. Case 1: During follow-up, seizures, developmental delay, and regression were observed. The boy experienced insomnia and severe constipation. He exhibited self-mutilating behavior, a grand mal seizure, scoliosis with severe spasticity, truncal hypotonia, choreoathetoid movement, and ataxia. After prolonged emaciation, staghorn calculi, and recurrent pneumonia, the patient died suddenly at the age of 11 years. Genetic testing revealed a hemizygous HPRT1 variant (c.151C>T (p.Arg51Ter)). Uric acid level was 10.5 mg/dL (normal range: ~3.5-7.9) and HPRT activity 0.02 nmol/hr/spot (10-23.8 nmol/hr/spot). Case 2: During follow-up, the patient remained underweight. He has normal intelligence attending primary school. Self-mutilation symptoms were not observed. Regular renal ultrasonography did not reveal urolithiasis. The patient had a hemizygous HPRT1 variant (c.35A>C (p.Asp12Ala)). Uric acid level and HPRT activity were 11 mg/dL and 0.56 nmol/hr/spot. Pink diapers after the neonatal period and severe protein aversion, neurological problems, and kidney stones, differentiation for LNS is necessary. When suspected, serum uric acid levels, HPRT enzyme activity, and molecular biological tests may be helpful in predicting the prognosis of LNS.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.22-32
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• 2015

This study aims to discuss the concept of upcycling as it applies to diaper recycling. Upcycling is the process of converting waste materials into new products of better quality. Through benchmarking of upcycling examples, useless objects can be transformed into valuable materials. However, current upcycling examples determine value creation related to qualitative elements, so that it is difficult to establish any quantitative strategy of upcycled products. Therefore, this study expands a B2B (Business to business) product for improving market availability and establishes a direction using both recovered pulp and mixed plastic at the same time. As a result, the upcycling method for recovered pulp and mixed plastics, is the application of a cellulose insulator. Within the near future, the high quality insulator market will grow more than three times. An upcycling strategy targeting the high quality insulator market needs to be established.

• Journal of Korea Technical Association of The Pulp and Paper Industry
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.24-33
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• 2015

This study aims to suggest wastewater treatment options for diaper recycling by identifying characteristic analysis of wastewater from diaper recycling process and efficiency evaluation of wastewater treatment units. The wastewater characteristic analysis showed that the concentration of organic pollutants and ionic materials were very high comparing to seawater. Through the investigation of similar wastewater treatment, six treatment units were identified to reduce pollutants. It is found UF(ultra-filtration), DAF(dissolved air flotation), fenton oxidation, electro-coagulation and chemical-coagulation are effective in reducing organic pollutants while membrane system and ion exchanger are effective in reducing ionic materials. Even though the target of water quality should be secured in terms of managing organic pollutants level, the application of treatment unit for reducing ionic material needs lots of considerations. This result suggests that reuse of pulping wastewater after controlling organic pollutants is better than direct discharge of pulping wastewater. To select the appropriate wastewater treatment unit, an economic analysis about operation condition, wastewater flow, cost, efficiency should be considered.