Nappies and landfill safety

Some of our customers have expressed concern over the impact of faecal matter in nappies in landfill.

These concerns are unfounded. Independent tests have repeatedly demonstrated that there is no hazard to public health resulting from nappy disposal in household waste.

"Municipal solid waste (MSW) categories, as specified by United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), were evaluated for their relative contribution of pathogenic viruses, bacteria, and protozoan parasites into MSW landfills from 1960 to 2007. … … … … … …. …. For all potential sources, food waste contributes the greatest number of faecal coliforms (80.62%). The largest contribution of salmonellae (97.27%), human enteroviruses (94.88%) and protozoan parasites (97%) are expected to come from pet faeces. Biosolids from wastewater treatment sludge contribute the greatest number of human noroviruses (99.94%). By comparison, absorbent hygiene products do not appear to contribute significantly to overall pathogen loading for any group of pathogens." 1

Keep in mind that landfill contains numerous other faecal-related products including sewage waste and council waste. (Consider your council’s encouragement for you to collect your dogs’ faeces from public areas and put them in the waste bin – this all goes to landfill.)

Landfill management

Today’s landfills are constructed with environmental protection as a first priority. Landfills in Australia are licensed by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and governed by strict environmental protection measures which cover collection and treatment of liquid wastes, collection and use of landfill gas, groundwater and surface water management, and detailed environmental monitoring and reporting.

Most landfill sites are converted to community or commercial purposes after they are finally closed. Monitoring continues for years after closure to ensure there is no pollution and until the landfill becomes completely inactive and stable.

  1. “Sources of microbial pathogens in municipal solid waste landfills in the United States of America”, Gerba, Charles P; Tamimi, Akrum H; Pettitgrew, Anne V; and Rajagopalan, Vijay. Waste Management Research, 2011 29:781 (reproduced with permission)