Copenhagen began a separate collection of used nappies for recycling on 19 October 2026, placing bins in the courtyards of apartment buildings and at municipal day-care centres. Around 50 million nappies a year have until now been incinerated in the municipality. The city expects to collect 5,000 tonnes of nappy waste once the scheme is fully implemented in 2029.

Who gets a bin

The first phase targets places with large amounts of nappy waste. A property gets a bin if at least six children aged 0-4 live there and they make up more than 3% of residents. Municipal day-care centres also receive bins from the start. Nappies are collected weekly, and residents must hand them in in a plastic bag tied with a tight knot. The service is covered by the existing fee for recycling schemes, so there is no separate charge and no discount for properties without a bin. Detached houses can join through a voluntary sign-up scheme.

Timeline

  • 19 October 2026: bins at apartment buildings with at least six children aged 0-4 and at municipal institutions
  • February 2027: the treatment plant starts operating; detached houses with children under four can sign up
  • February 2027 to the end of that year: municipal care homes receive bins
  • Next year: bins also at housing for older people and other municipal institutions
  • 2029: scheme fully implemented

Where the nappies go

The waste will be treated at what the city calls Denmark’s first treatment plant for nappies. The plant was built in Hvidovre by the environmental company Verdis. Frederiksberg Municipality is part of setting up the plant. Its scheme covers nappy waste from its own institutions, and it expects to deliver 250 tonnes a year for recycling. At the plant, the waste is sterilised and processed into three main outputs. According to the city, 85-94% of the nappy waste can be recycled into new materials instead of being burned. The plastic can be used in products such as car interiors. Cellulose and the contents of the nappies become a biofibre that is sent to biogasification and ends up as biogas, electricity and district heating. The superabsorbent polymers are turned into a binder for the construction industry.

Why the city is doing it

The city says sorting nappy waste can cut CO2 emissions by up to 4,500 tonnes a year. Line Barfod, Copenhagen’s mayor for climate, environment and technical affairs, said there is a large climate gain in recycling nappies instead of burning them. She added that Copenhagen has many small children, so the potential is large. The municipality tested nappy sorting in 2022 and received no complaints about odour.