Japanese hygiene products company Unicharm Corp. has revolutionized the disposable diaper market by introducing the world’s first horizontally recycled diapers at shopping centers in the southwest of the country. The company, in collaboration with two local governments in Kagoshima Prefecture, created these recycled diapers using a specially designed process that involves the use of ozone to eliminate bacteria and odors. Initially, Unicharm provided these recycled adult diapers to hospitals and care homes for the elderly before making them available to retailers Aeon Kyushu Co.
Unicharm’s commitment to sustainability is reflected in their decision to transform a resource-intensive standard into a cyclical one. The recycled diapers have been approved by experts for their hygiene, and while slightly more expensive than their regular disposable ones, a packet of 42 diapers for children costs 1,078 yen ($7). Tsutomu Kido, senior executive officer of Unicharm, expressed his excitement about this innovation and how it aligns with the company’s commitment to creating sustainable products that meet customers’ needs.
