The Comfort Loop
Designing an approach for sustainable production, use and disposal of absorbent hygiene products.
4 July 2024
Key facts
Full title: The Comfort Loop: A systems approach for sustainable absorbent hygiene products
Funder: UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
Total amount awarded: £1,463,528
Start date: 2023
Duration: 3 years
CBC Researchers: Professor Susan Michie (Co-Investigator), Dr Fabiana Lorencatto (Co-Investigator), Dr Ayşe Lisa Allison
Too much plastic waste
With birth rates increasing in some parts of the world and ageing populations a significant factor in others, demand is rising for disposable nappies, period products, incontinence pads and similar items. Exacerbated by a multitude of product types and disposal routes, the resulting plastic waste stream is already out of control.
Designing a sustainable system
The Comfort Loop is a University College London project, led by Professor Mark Miodownik. It aims to design a sustainable, joined-up system covering production, use and disposal of absorbent hygiene products in the UK. Focused on fundamental research with potential for practical impacts, the research will harness the expertise of the NHS, charities, the recycling sector and local government.
Changing behaviour
Human behaviour is integral to the sustainable provision of absorbent hygiene products (AHPs). Achieving circular transitions will require behaviour changes across various groups in society, including but not limited to the general public, manufacturers, sellers, health and care providers, and policymakers at both local and national levels.
The behavioural science work package of Comfort Loop aims to investigate the potential of reduce and reuse behavioural strategies for minimising waste from disposable AHPs. Our goal is to identify barriers and enablers to behaviour change and determine the most effective interventions to address these factors, while maintaining the health and comfort of AHP users.
Find out more
- View the project website
- Read the published protocol paper
In the media
Our Research Fellow Dr Ayşe Allison appeared on BBC Sunday Morning Live on 23 March 2025 with Prof Mark Miodownik (Dept of Mechanical Engineering) talking about why the average toilet training age of children has risen and how we can reduce the environmental impact of nappy waste.
You can watch them on iPlayer from 28:20.
In Parliament
The team presented to MPs as part of Evidence Week in Parliament in November 2025, sharing research on the impact of single-use nappies on child health, school readiness, and the UK’s sustainability goals. The team made recommendations to MPs, including updating Department of Health & Social Care guidance to include evidence-based approaches that promote:
Toilet training once children can sit comfortably
Being fully out of nappies between 18 and 30 months
You can watch a short summary video on YouTube and read the policy brief.