The Knowaste Recycling Process

The Knowaste process is simple and effective. The Knowaste process sanitizes the diaper material and uses a water and mechanical system to separate the individual components so the wood pulp and plastic can be recycled. Human waste is separated and treated through the local sewage system. Up to 98 per cent of a used disposable diaper or incontinence product can thus be removed from the waste stream. High-quality wood pulp and plastic are now available for recycling.

Used diapers and/or adult incontinence products are generated. The materials are collected and transported to a Knowaste processor or plant. (In Canada, the only plant is in Mississauga, Ontario.)
Used disposable diapers begin the recycling process by entering a shredder that starts to break them apart. From here, the diapers are sent on to a pulper to begin processing.
The next step sanitizes the diaper material and exposes it to a special chemical treatment to deactivate the super-absorbent polymers. At the completion of this washing process, the plastic materials are removed and sent to a separate device for processing.
Plastic components are again filtered and cleaned in a final washing cycle. The plastic is then compressed into small pellets that can be sold for easy reuse.
Remaining parts of the diaper enter a screening process that captures any remaining traces of plastic and other organic material.
The fibres continue to go through another fine mechanical washing, cleaning and screening process. This produces a clean, long-length fibre that can be used in a myriad of products. The clean fibre is an excellent quality that is baled and sold for reuse on the open market.

Recycling Offtake: Marketable Byproducts of our Process

Extensive research at Knowaste’s development plant in West Bromwich allowed the Company to identify a range of uses for the high quality recycled plastic and fiber that is produced. Knowaste has secured Letters of Intent from strategic partners for the long term contractual sale of its high quality recycled plastic and fiber.

Plastics
4,000 tpa (11% of plant capacity) per plant into plastic pellets for the injection molding market in a range
of recycled products including timber replacement, molded items, diaper and hygiene bins. The current price achievable for these pellets is c.$350 per ton.

Knowaste intends to be the main supplier of recycled plastic for the manufacture of the containers that collect the AHPs for both the commercial and local authority sectors.

Fiber
8,000 tpa (22% of plant capacity) per plant providing a range of recycled products including cardboard packaging, concrete and tarmac additive, bricks, insulation materials, pet bedding and litter. Current price for this material is c.$300 per ton.

The recycled fiber will be utilized in the production of pet litter/bedding which will be produced and bagged on site for onward transportation to the retailer/wholesaler.

Knowaste Technology in Action

Watch this short film outlining the key process stages of a Knowaste AHP recycling plant and the benefits to your customers and recycling sector.

Where are diapers going for disposal in your community?

Recycled plastic for the manufacture of AHP collection containers

The recycled fiber will be used the production of pet litter/bedding