Knowaste has announced that it will launch its absorbent hygiene product (AHP) recycling service in South Africa as it continues its campaign to tackle the global issue of nappy waste.

The first AHP recycling plant will be established in the Modrand area, in the Gauteng province, and is expected to launch in early 2017.

The Gauteng region has been selected for the new site because it is the economic hub of South Africa and has the highest population density per square meter in the country. Gauteng currently generates in excess of 1.7 billion nappies per year alone, excluding female hygiene and adult incontinence products.

Knowaste’s plans tie into the South African Government’s ongoing review of waste reduction, recycling and recovery of waste as part of its environmental policy in order to address landfill gas emissions and pressures on water resources.

Lance Anderson, Knowaste business development director for South Africa, says, “AHP waste is a major problem in South Africa, as it is globally. Bringing Knowaste’s recycling process to the country marks a major step in reducing the South Africa’s dependency on landfill and offers the opportunity to promote its green credentials.”

Once the plant has been established, Knowaste plans to develop an additional three sites in South Africa by 2022.