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Roof Tiles to be Made from Recycled Nappies

By: Stephen Hurrell

August 4, 2009

Original Article Available at: www.clickgreen.org.uk

Roofing tiles are traditionally made from concrete, slate or clay, but one UK company has discovered a novel new material - used nappies.

Knowaste has launched a new company, SmallPlanet Building Products, which will produce roof tiles from plastic waste from the sanitising of nappies and adult incontinence products.

The unlikely venture will begin production of plastic cladding, decking and roof tiles when the UK's first Knowaste nappy recycling plant opens in Birmingham in 2010.

The recycling of nappies produces the plastic needed for the tiles, as well as a cellulose organic residue that can be used for green energy.

Bill Knoupe, General Manager of SmallPlanet Building Products, points out that the construction industry is a significant user of materials and energy.

He said: "There is a real opportunity to open up a new market in construction, offering sustainable products that come with clear benefits for the building and housing sectors, which are increasingly being asked to improve sustainability credentials.

"Once the tiles have been commercialised they will offer the construction industry a new sustainable opportunity and quick way to meet maximum recycled content requirements while also reinforcing their green credentials.

"Our aim is to fill the gap for quality recycled building materials, made from products whose disposal would otherwise increase landfill and, in doing so, drive the successful introduction of recycled roofing materials in the United Kingdom."

Nearly three billion nappies are thrown away each year, with around 90 percent ending up in landfill sites, causing a large number of councils in the UK to join the Real Nappy Campaign in an effort to reduce the quantity of nappies at landfill sites.

Knoupe believes Smallplanet Building Products can offer a solution to the problem. He said: "Our aim is to fill the gap for quality recycled building materials, made from products whose disposal would otherwise go to landfill and in doing so, drive the successful introduction of recycled roofing materials in the United Kingdom."

Roy Brown, President and Chief Executive of Knowaste, added: "More than 750,000 tonnes of nappy waste is disposed of in the UK each year - a figure that highlights the importance of developing alternative uses for post-consumer nappies. There is an obvious potential for synergy between the material waste produced by industry and householders and the raw materials required to produce construction products. We see this as a win-win opportunity."

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