Ugandan Woman Transforms Used Diapers into Valuable Fertilizer

A resident of Kalangala Town Council, Victoria Braton Namugenyi, has pioneered a method to convert used baby diapers into a valuable fertilizer. This initiative stems from the waste disposal challenges she encountered while serving as the deputy LC3 chairperson for the area.

Namugenyi observed that many residents improperly dispose of diapers, leading to environmental pollution and a negative image for the town. The diapers, she noted, do not decompose easily in landfills, compounding the waste problem. As a mother of triplets, the sheer volume of diaper waste daily inspired her to seek a sustainable solution.

Her process, learned from environmental experts, involves separating the diaper’s layers. The outer layer is discarded, while the inner absorbent material is collected in sacks to decompose into manure over approximately two months. She has successfully tested this manure on her banana plantation, which had been struggling due to poor soil nutrients, observing a significant revival.

Namugenyi applies the decomposed material a few inches from the stem for plants like bananas, allowing roots to absorb nutrients. For crops like beans and maize, she mixes the decomposed material with soil to enhance yields. She has accumulated 28 sacks of this ‘fertilizer’ from her children’s diapers over three years.

This innovative product has economic potential, with Namugenyi selling one kilogramme at Shs30,000 and a sack fetching up to Shs3 million. She encourages women and youth to adopt similar ventures to generate income and tackle environmental issues.

Environmental experts like Mr. Joseph Byaruhanga, Kalangala District Forest Officer, acknowledge the environmental threat posed by disposable diapers due to their plastic components, which can take up to 500 years to decompose. He highlights that innovations separating plastics before decomposition can mitigate these dangers, preventing contamination of water sources and ecosystems, especially around Lake Victoria.

Agriculturalists, such as Mr. Francis Musoke from Ssese Farm Institute, suggest that Namugenyi’s process primarily creates humus, a vital organic component that enriches soil structure and water retention. While humus provides essential nutrients, it may be less long-lasting than conventional fertilizers. Further scientific testing is recommended to fully assess the safety and efficacy of the diaper-derived humus for widespread agricultural use.

Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/victoria-namugenyi-turns-used-diapers-into-fertiliser-5463584