COPENHAGEN – Denmark’s capital has unveiled an innovative approach to waste management by launching a separate collection and recycling program for used diapers. Instead of incinerating them, as was previously the norm, Copenhagen will collect used baby diapers in special containers to process them into new raw materials. Plans call for converting the organic content into biogas, electricity, or district heating, while plastics and other components will be repurposed for industrial use. The city aspires to process around 5,000 tons of this specific waste annually by 2029.

The new system was announced by Copenhagen authorities on October 19, 2026, and later covered by Austria’s Kronen Zeitung daily.

This initiative aims to fundamentally change how households, kindergartens, and care facilities handle used diapers.

50 Million Diapers Disposed of Annually in Copenhagen

Figures from the city administration illustrate the scale of the challenge.

Each year, about 50 million used diapers end up in Copenhagen’s incinerators. Yet these products are made from materials suitable for further processing.

Recycling has been difficult until now due to the combination of plastics, cellulose, absorbent polymers, and organic matter in the diapers.

To address this, the city introduced a dedicated collection system and will deploy technology designed for this specific waste stream.

The phased rollout began in October 2026.

The goal goes beyond simply separating diapers from other municipal waste—it is to extract valuable reusable materials from them.

Used Diapers to Generate Both Electricity and Heat

Perhaps the most noteworthy feature of the project is the advanced processing that follows collection.

Diapers contain plastics, cellulose, superabsorbent polymers, and biological material. The new facility will treat each according to its properties.

Plastics will be recycled into new products, such as automotive interior components.

The cellulose and biodegradable content will be used in biogas production, which can then generate electricity or supply district heating networks.

The special absorbent polymers, famous for their liquid retention, will be processed for use as binders in the construction sector.

According to the city administration, the planned technology could enable between 85% and 94% of the collected diaper waste to be reused for materials or energy.

This figure represents the technological potential, not an assured recycling rate for all used diapers in the city.

Even the Liquid Will Be Reused

The plan for dealing with liquids found in used diapers is also remarkable.

According to city data, diapers can contain up to 60% liquid by weight.

During processing, these liquids will be extracted, purified, and reused.

One planned use is for washing municipal waste collection vehicles.

By recycling as much material as possible, Copenhagen hopes to minimize the amount of waste going to final disposal.

This strategy is part of a circular economy model aimed at keeping materials in active use as long as possible.

Aktualizovane.sk has previously explored similar principles in its article, “Plastic Recycling is a Global Issue, Not Just on World Environment Day.”

First Bins Roll Out at Kindergartens and Apartment Blocks

Copenhagen isn’t launching citywide collection for all residents at once.

Initial bins are being placed at sites generating large volumes of diaper waste.

These include municipal preschools and apartment buildings where at least six children under the age of four live.

Collected diapers will be picked up once a week.

The municipality has also set practical rules: used diapers must be placed in regular plastic bags that are tightly sealed before disposal.

This is intended to control odors and ensure hygiene during collection.

Senior Care Homes to Join in 2027

The next phase begins in February 2027.

City-run care homes, senior residences, and other municipal institutions will start participating in the program.

The system will not be limited to baby diapers.

Selected adult incontinence products and other specified hygiene items will also be included.

In 2027, residents of family houses and garden colonies will be allowed to apply for participation under municipal guidelines.

Full deployment across the city is scheduled for 2029.

Copenhagen Targets 5,000 Tons for Recycling Each Year

50 mil.

Used diapers per year

5,000 t

Annual collection target starting in 2029

85–94%

Potential for material or energy recovery

Data and planned parameters according to the City of Copenhagen.

Once fully operational, the city expects to collect and separately process at least 5,000 tons of used diapers and related hygiene products per year.

This does not mean the entire amount will disappear from the waste stream. Some fractions will become new materials or energy products.

Copenhagen expects the project to ease pressure on incinerators and make resource use more efficient.

Could a Similar Solution Work in Slovakia?

The Danish project raises the question of whether separate diaper collection could be adopted by Slovak cities in the future.

The deciding factors would be the costs of collection, hygiene controls, transport, and access to specialized processing facilities.

Installing new bins alone does not guarantee recycling success—a working technology is necessary to process all the components from these products.

In Slovakia, public debate around the circular economy has so far focused mainly on sorting plastics, packaging, and municipal waste.

Aktualizovane.sk has previously highlighted the importance of waste separation and deposit systems, but cautions that these do not replace the need for recycling all types of packaging.

The Copenhagen project demonstrates that even used hygiene products can be a valuable source of materials. Ultimately, the project’s success will depend on real-world results once the entire system is up and running.

Sources: Kronen Zeitung, City of Copenhagen, Ritzau. Photo: AI illustration

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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.