"RefF" is a program launched by Unicharm to recycle used nappies. Prince Nepia agreed with the company's idea and participated in the implementation of the project. The RefF project recyles used nappies and uses ozone treatment technology to regenerate them into three raw materials: pulp, solid fuel (RPF) and polymer absorbent materials. Among them, Prince Nepia is responsible for utilizing the generated solid fuel (RPF).
Due to declining birth rates and an aging population, the use of diapers (children + adults) in Japan was 2.08 million tons in 2015 and is expected to increase to 2.45 million tons in 2030, accounting for about 7% of all household waste. To this end, the Japanese Ministry of the Environment has formulated the "Waste Diaper Recycling and other Guidelines" in 2020.
Currently, most used nappies are incinerated in municipal waste treatment facilities. Japan's environment ministry aims to increase the number of local governments that recycle used nappies to 100 by 2030, about three times the current number. Therefore, not only local governments, but also diaper manufacturers must face this serious problem.
