Journal article
Residual waste after achieving organic diversion targets: Will nappies (diapers) spoil the plan?
Waste Management, Vol.222, pp.1-6
30/07/2026
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Abstract
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 12 for sustainable production and consumption is driving communities to actively reduce their residual waste. A commonly adopted strategy is the diversion of organic material from residual waste to biologically driven recycling. The types of organic waste streams being diverted commonly include food, garden, paper & cardboard. The waste diversion commitments of the state of Queensland, Australia, are taken as a case study to evaluate the implications of significant (90% or more) diversion of these waste streams. The C:N ratio of residual waste in Queensland is calculated based on the composition on waste that is currently landfilled and on the composition of residual waste that will eventuate in 2030 and 2050 if Queensland’s landfill diversion commitments are met. The C:N ratio is modelled to decline from 21:1 in 2023 to 13:1 in 2050. This is due to the increasing percentage of residual waste coming from absorbent hygiene products (AHPs), which have a lower C:N ratio due to the nitrogen content of urine. AHPs currently comprise 3% of residual organic waste in Queensland but this will increase to approximately 30% in 2050 if waste avoidance and diversion targets are met. There are no current waste diversion commitments for AHPs in Queensland, and it is recommended this waste stream is addressed in further waste planning strategies.
Details
- Title
- Residual waste after achieving organic diversion targets: Will nappies (diapers) spoil the plan?
- Creators
- Emma Thompson-Brewster - Southern Cross UniversityWilliam Clarke - University of Queensland
- Publication Details
- Waste Management, Vol.222, pp.1-6
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd; OXFORD
- Number of pages
- 26
- Identifiers
- 991013384451702368
- Copyright
- © 2026 The Authors.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Science and Engineering; Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article