Copenhagen to Recycle Used Diapers
In 2026, Denmark’s First Diaper Recycling Facility Will Open In Greater Copenhagen
Denmark will soon see its first dedicated facility for recycling used diapers, right in the heart of Greater Copenhagen. On the 29th of May, a majority in the City of Copenhagen’s Technical and Environmental Committee voted in favor of a joint initiative with the City of Frederiksberg to establish a treatment plant capable of recycling diapers that are currently incinerated with residual waste.
The move comes as an expansion of Copenhagen’s existing recycling system. Residents already sort materials like cardboard, glass, plastic, and food waste, and starting from fourth quarter of 2026 diapers will be added to the list.
Copenhagen’s Diaper Waste
Each year, Copenhageners use around 46 million diapers. Diaper waste makes up at least 7% of household residual waste, and when including contributions from municipal childcare institutions, that amounts to an estimated 11,800 tons annually.
Strong Diaper-Sorting Habits Among Copenhageners
In 2022, the City of Copenhagen ran a pilot program to test the separate collection of used diapers, and the results were promising. The trial demonstrated that residents were not only willing but already quite adept at sorting diapers correctly for disposal.
Building on this success, bins for used diapers will be placed in residential courtyards, particularly in buildings with a high number of young children. In addition, diaper bins will be installed at childcare institutions across the city to manage the substantial volume of waste generated there.
Beyond Expectations: More Recycling Than Expected
According to the City of Copenhagen’s Technical and Environmental Administration, it will be realistic to collect at least 5,000 tons of used diapers annually for recycling once the system is fully implemented by 2029. The diaper waste will be converted into recyclable plastics and other materials suitable for production in the circular economy.
To make this possible, the administration launched a joint tender process with the City of Frederiksberg to identify a suitable recycling partner. The process resulted in the selection of the Danish environmental company Verdis A/S, which has committed to establishing a dedicated diaper recycling facility in Greater Copenhagen.