In Belgium, Woosh is another start-up hoping to clear those hurdles.
Woosh says its nappies are easier to recycle as they are not made of multiple materials.
Instead, says Alby Roseveare co-founder and chief technology officer, Woosh has focused on using one specific kind of plastic.
“If you use different plastics, it’s extremely difficult to separate [when recycling].”
The company is also working with daycare centres to deliver nappies and collect the used ones.
These are then processed in their own recycling station, with some materials reused.
“We wanted to focus on putting the right materials in so we can get the right materials out and unless you take responsibility to take your own waste back, no one is incentivised to do this,” says Roseveare.
“Big brands are incentivised to optimise costs, but in most cases there’s no incentive for brands to pay much attention to the recyclability of the nappy.”
Woosh currently works with over 1,400 daycare centres across Belgium and says over 30,000 children wear Woosh nappies every day.
They are piloting working with retailers and are in the process of rolling out its circular model to parents at home.