Using Ultraviolet Light to Facilitate the Decomposition of
Disposable Diapers
Introduction
Disposable diapers contribute to a large percent of plastic waste
due to the large quantities used daily and the extremely long
decomposition rate of the plastics that make up the diapers
(Almeida, 2019). Washable and biodegradable diapers are
current alternatives that do not have negative impacts on the
environment, but trends suggest that consumers continue buying
disposable diapers for convenience and comfortability for
children (Meseldzija, 2013). Studies have shown that ultraviolet
radiation can breakdown the superabsorbent polymer that makes
up diapers and what causes disposable diapers to take so long
to decompose (Shukla, 2013). A prototype could be designed to
act as a modified diaper disposal system that utilizes a
concentrated amount of UV radiation to breakdown the
superabsorbent polymer and other plastics within disposable
diapers to accelerate the rate of decomposition of slow
decomposing plastics. If successful, then the protype will have
the potential to be manufactured so it can be sold commercially
to parents who want to be more environmentally friendly but are
not satisfied with reusable diapers.
Objectives and Hypothesis
• To design and create a diaper disposal system that utilizes a
UV light chamber to decompose the plastics within diapers
• To maximize the diaper’s exposure to UV light by placing a
UV panel on each of the four walls of the UV chamber
• To determine whether the prototype has the potential to
become a product sold commercially based on its ability to
decompose the diaper
Hypothesis:
• The diaper will steadily lose mass as the hours go by due to
extended exposure to UV light and the prototype will be
successful in drastically catalyzing the decomposition
process
Brady Meese
Materials and Methods
Materials
● Wood panels
● Mechanical wood saw
● 4 UV light panels
● Screws
● Hinges
● Disposable diapers
Method(s)
1. Order four UV panels from online
2. Obtain wood panels from Home Depot that I can use to construct the prototype
3. Construct the prototype with similar features of other diaper disposal systems,
but with a larger space under the hood to place a UV chamber for the diapers
before dropping into the trash bag below
4. Install the UV panels on all four sides on the inside of the UV light chamber for
maximum UV exposure to the diaper
5. Once the prototype in constructed, place a diaper in the UV chamber
6. Observe and analyze the decomposition of the diaper by massing the diaper
after every hour for 10 hours
7. Repeat step 6 for a second trial Figure 1: This is the blueprint of the modified diaper disposal system that utilizes
UV light panels to decompose the diapers held inside of the device
Mass of diapers after 1-hour increments Conclusion
• In trial 1, the The hypothesis was incorrect because although the prototype did
successfully begin to decompose the diaper, it took a very long time only
original mass of to prove to little effect. In both trials 1 and 2, the diaper seemed to lose
the diaper was about 0.01 ounces every 3 hours. Based on these results, it’s concluded
1.08 ounces that this prototype was not effective at beginning the decomposition
• The mass of the
process because losing 0.01 ounces of mass every 3 hours is very
insignificant when considering that the total mass of the diapers were
diaper seems to around 1.1 ounces. For any significant decomposition to take place, the
decrease about diaper would need to be exposed to the UV light for many hours, which is
not the case for diapers in a diaper disposal system. For this reason, this
0.01 ounces
product has no potential to become manufactured and sold to
every three
consumers.
hours
References
• In trial 2, the Almeida, S., Lourenco, V. L., & Crespi, M. S. (2019, December). Preliminary thermal
evaluation of disposable babies diaper viewing energy recycling. Journal of Thermal
original mass of Analysis & Calorimetry. 
the diaper was https://eds-b-ebscohost-com.proxygsu-scob.galileo.usg.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=9&sid=c
cc85e91-a03a-4d7b-ac88-72297dfeabda%40pdc-v-sessmgr02&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzL
1.11 ounces WxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#AN=139791767&db=aqh
Meseldzija, J., Poznanovic, D., & Frank, R. (2013, November). Assessment of the differing
environmental impacts between reusable and disposable diapers. Dufferin Research. 
• Following the https://www.dufferinresearch.com/images/sampledata/documents/Environmental%20Imp
act%20Report%20-%20Cloth%20vs%20Disposible.pdf
same trend as Shukla, N. B., Bhagat, R. K., & Madras, G. (2013, January). Photo and thermal degradation of
a cationic superabsorbent polymer. Polymer-Plastics Technology & Engineering. 
trial 1, the diaper https://eds-b-ebscohost-com.proxygsu-scob.galileo.usg.edu/eds/detail/detail?vid=2&sid=c
seems to lose cc85e91-a03a-4d7b-ac88-72297dfeabda%40pdc-v-sessmgr02&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWRzL
WxpdmUmc2NvcGU9c2l0ZQ%3d%3d#db=syh&AN=84918711