Local Authorities
"We need a new approach to waste – one which works for the new economy. We cannot keep putting recyclable and biodegradable material into landfill. It threatens the environment and wastes what are ?incredibly valuable natural resources” DEFRA June 2011.
Knowaste is the UK’s first specialist recycling facility for all of our absorbent hygiene products (AHP), which include disposable nappies/diapers, adult incontinence pads and pants, wipes and feminine hygiene products. Knowaste‘s technology recycles AHP waste into valuable resources, plastics and fibres, for re- use in products, while dealing effectively with contaminants.
Just when it looked like there was nothing else left in ‘black bag’ waste, we have demonstrated that there is more that can be recycled. Local authorities across the UK are telling us this is the sort of innovation needed to meet demanding recycling and sustainability goals.
In line with the waste hierarchy framework, we want to work with you and your waste contractors to help increase recycling rates and tackle the 790,000 tonnes plus1 of AHP waste produced in the UK each year in the MSW stream. For the majority of local authorities, AHP waste represents 4 – 7%2 of kerbside waste, rising to as much as 10%2 in some authorities.
Our first 36,000 tonnes plant in West Bromwich is to be followed by others throughout the UK, enabling even more capacity and convenience. And, with competitive gate fees, AHP collections are destined to become an integral feature of successful kerbside recycling schemes in which participation is forecast to be high.
UK market trends
With increasing landfill taxes, high recycling targets and sustainability goals coupled with
a growing and aging population, Knowaste offers a timely solution to the public sector
waste industry.
Disposable nappies/diapers are used by over 90% of families
A baby uses approximately 4,000 nappies/diapers before potty training3
A city the size of Coventry uses 18 million nappies/diapers per year (3,600 tonnes of waste)
There are many degrees of incontinence, and the condition affects many people, particularly the elderly. By 2035, 23% of the population is predicted to be aged 65 and over - 6 million more than 2010.4
1.Resource Futures report for Knowaste on MSW arising in the UK 2011
2 Resource Futures, Review of Waste Composition Studies, shows that the majority of local authorities have between 4% and 7% AHP in their kerbside waste with nearly 50% of authorities occupying the 5% - 6% bracket.
3 EDANA, European Trade Association for the non-wovens sector, average disposable nappy/diaper usage figure
4. ONS Population forecast figures 2010