turning nappies into

compost

product stewardship – a commercial study

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Presenter : Lyn Mayes for Kimberly-Clark New Zealand

Growing responsibly in a world of finite resources

• Plant officially opened 7 August 2009• A first for Canterbury; for NZ and we believe the world!• First time a global nappy brand has invested in commercial composting of nappies

PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP

Bringing together private and public partnerships

• Entrepreneur and founder : Envirocomp Ltd.

• Sponsorship from Kimberly-Clark manufacturer of Huggies® nappies.

• Technology supplied by HotRot Organic Solutions.

• Located at a former pit in Balcairn North Canterbury made available by Hurunui District Council.

• Subsidy for the service for ratepayers from Kaikoura and Waimakariri District Councils.

• Local Kiwi investors.

Growing responsibly in a world of finite resources

WHAT’S IN IT FOR KIMBERLY-CLARK?

Growing responsibly in a world of finite resources

Kimberly-Clark makes products which have a positive impact on people’s health and convenience but it’s an inescapable fact that they are disposable

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ARE NOT ALWAYS WHAT WE

EXPECT THEM TO BE!

Growing responsibly in a world of finite resources

UK Government’s study comparing disposable

and cloth nappies

Disposable Nappies : 550kg CO²Reusable Nappies : 570kg CO²

Global Warming Impacts

Growing responsibly in a world of finite resources

bottom line...

“little or no difference in terms of environmental impacts between

disposable and reusable nappy systems”

but nappies, sanitary and incontinence products make up an emotional

3% of waste

Ministry for the Environment’s Report Card

To view the waste report card go to the Ministry website:

http://www.mfe.govt.nz/environmental-reporting/report-cards/waste-composition/2009/index.html  

IT TAKES MORE THAN A GOOD IDEA!

Growing responsibly in a world of finite resources

The technology to manage waste is available – the challenge has

been to commercialise it

• $1million project took 2.5 years to move from concept to reality• With backing from partnerships with industry and local government

• Created 4.5 jobs

THE LIFE CYCLE FROM NAPPIES TO COMPOST

Huggies® Nappies are made with pine thinnings from the forest floor. The composting process helps complete the cycle turning forest by-products into nappies then into compost.

The super absorbent materials are great for composting because they enhance the moisture holding potential of the compost and land.

The resulting compost significantly reduces the need for irrigation and fertilisers.

And is ideal for growing shrubs and flowers and for use as mulch in orchards and vineyards.

USING SCIENCE TO CREATE A BETTER PLACE

A revolutionary idea has become reality

Technology to provide an alternative end of life solution for sanitary waste

96% nappy changes are with disposable nappies

No realistic alternative to sanitary pads or incontinence products

representing a joint market of $67million (2/3rds of the disposable nappy market)

THE CHOICE IS YOURS!

Several councils operate cloth nappy subsidies to incentivise a change in behaviour. UK studies

show no corresponding decline in disposable purchase.

Canterbury councils now have an alternative – supporting commercial

composting using proven technology.

A Kiwi concept which Kimberly-Clark believes can go global.

User pays solution is consistent with the

Waste Act.

FOUNDER OF ENVIROCOMP SOLUTION

Karen Upston

A LABOUR OF LOVE

From idea to commercial business venture: 2.5 years to complete investment, obtain planning

permission and turn a pit into a world 1st

THE SERVICE : AS LITTLE AS $1.75 PER WEEK

Customers subscribe to a collection service from homes,

childcare centres and rest homes.

Nappies, incontinence products and other sanitary products can be included in the prepaid bags.

A six month, weekly collection service costs $5.30 per week and

Kaikoura and Waimakariri are offering a $1 per week subsidy.

USING KIWI TECHNOLOGY TO CLOSE THE LOOP

Nappies are removed from bags for processing.

The plastic collection bags are made of reclaimed plastic and

will be recycled locally.

A locally engineered shredder deals with the nappies prior to

their transfer to the HotRot vessel.

Green waste is added to the mix as a bulking agent.

COMPOSTING : GROWTH FROM WASTE

Composting is a natural process which occurs every day on the forest floor.

The HotRot unit can process 15,000 nappies per day.

The HotRot technology mimics this process.

It’s odour free, eliminates leachate and avoids greenhouse gases from landfill.

Process takes 2-3 weeks in a temperature controlled system which decomposes waste and eliminates pathogens.

THE FINAL STAGE SCREENING NON COMPOSTABLE MATERIALS

The compost is screened to remove plastic through a specialised

screening process, purpose built for the plant

This combines existing technologies such as physical screening and “wind sifting”

Oversized organic materials such as green waste are separated and

put back through the compost unit or used as mulch.

CONSUMER DEMAND IS THERE

On track to have 600 residential customers by end of year 1.

Able to increase to 60,000 nappies per day through the

current unitOpportunity to install

a second composting unit

COMMERCIALLY & ENVIRONMENTALLY VIABLE

Not just for Canterbury but other New Zealand communities with the......

Support of

Incentives from local government

Waste levy availability

Your support

We have a local solution which can go global