How to Dispose of Nappies
Disposing of dirty nappies in the trash bin could pose a risk to sanitation workers’ health as they can come into contact with the waste material. According to Australia’s Environmental Agency, microorganisms derived from faecal matter can enter groundwater and cause serious contamination if they are not properly disposed of.
Excrement from humans contains more than 100 microorganisms including bacteria and viruses. These microbes can survive for many years outside of the human body. Human faecal material can contain polio, noroviruses, salmonellas, E. coli and hepatitis viruses. To protect the environment and keep people healthy, it is important to properly dispose of nappies. Continue reading!
The Toilet should be cleaned of any nappy fecal matter
Private septic systems or public sewage are the best places to process faecal matter. It is the only place where the waste material doesn’t come into contact with the public. Problem is, most Australians don’t do this. Instead, they wrap their nappies in plastic and dump them in the trash bins.
Although many mums skip this step most of the time, it is important that faecal matter from a nappy not end up in landfills. It doesn’t matter what disposal method you use, it is important to remove the faecal matter from the nappy and rinse it before putting it in the trash bin. To secure any remaining waste, wrap the napkin in a tightly-rolled towel. The front of the nappy should be folded inwards. Wrap the tabs around the front to secure the nappy.
Place the Nappy into a sealed Container
To trap foul odours, secure the nappy in a sealed container. This will ensure that your indoor environment is fresh and odourless. There are many ways to place your nappy inside a sealed container.
To trap odors, you could use a Ziploc bag. If you have an infant, use a Ziploc bag that is quart-sized. If your infant uses larger nappies, it is best to use a quart-sized Ziploc bag. It is not only cost-effective, but it also makes it easy to carry your baby around, even when you’re not home.
Some local councils provide brown paper bags. However, plastic grocery bags can be used as a nappy disposal device. To trap the smell, place the dirty napkin in a grocery bag. Turn the bag upside-down and twist it again. This will allow you to tie the bag correctly.
Your nappy can now be wrapped in double and is ready to go. Brown paper bags are another option if you prefer to be eco-friendly. To trap or neutralize the smell, place the brown bag over the nappy.
Get rid of the sealed container
Once you have sealed your nappy properly, decide whether or not to put it in the trash bin. If you’re at home, throw the bag in the trash. If you’re not home, please respect the public’s sensitivities to foul odours. It is best to put the nappy into a bag and then toss it at your home.
You can throw dirty nappies away at your house, in your friend’s backyard rubbish bin, in a public restroom, or in a park garbage container. You should not throw your dirty nappies into a friend’s bathroom or kitchen, or in small, enclosed spaces.
Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly
Be aware that even though you don’t see any waste material on your hands, faecal matter could harbour microorganisms. Warm water and soap are the best ways to thoroughly wash your hands. Use hand sanitiser if you don’t have soap or water while you travel.
