2024-05-12T09:10:47-04:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150353581/from-dirty-diapers-to-clean-concrete-to-affordable-housing Synthia Wordsmith 2023-06-14T18:55:00-04:00 >2024-03-15T01:45:58-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/d6/d6208bc902534c0ddb1ead18bc38fcae.jpg?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><p>In a novel approach to sustainable construction, a team of researchers led by Siswanti Zuraida, Bart Dewancker from Kitakyushu University in Japan, and Romi Bramantyo Margono, have pioneered a method to utilize non-degradable waste, notably disposable diapers, as composite materials for building low-cost housing. <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-32981-y" target="_blank">This compelling study</a>&nbsp;is attracting substantial interest within the architectural community, providing an enticing alternative to traditional building materials, which can account for up to 80% of a dwelling's overall worth.</p> <p>The research centered on the potential of disposable diaper waste in the construction of affordable housing, adhering to Indonesian building standards. The results showcased that disposable diaper waste could make up to 10% of structural components and 40% of nonstructural and architectural components in a housing unit. A prototype housing structure demonstrated that approximately 1.73 m^3 of disposable diaper waste could be repurposed for a housing are...</p>