Razvoj enostavne metode za oceno kakovosti otroških plenic za enkratno uporabo

Ladislav Varga, Egshig (author), Rijavec, Tatjana (mentor), Tomšič, Brigita (comentor)

V diplomskem delu je bila razvita enostavna metoda za oceno kakovosti otroških plenic za enkratno uporabo. Pridobljene so bile informacije o uporabniški izkušnji otroških plenic, opravljena temeljita analiza ponudbe otroških plenic za enkratno rabo v slovenskih spletnih trgovinah, analizirani konstrukcija in materiali, iz katerih so izdelane plenice za enkratno uporabo in določena biorazgradljivost dveh vzorcev plenic v humusni ilovici. Ugotovljeno je bilo, da velik delež staršev (96 %) uporablja plenice za enkratno uporabo, pri čemer najbolj zaupa blagovnim znamkam Pampers, Babylove in Violeta. Slaba vpojnost in slabo tesnjenje plenic sta največja razloga za nezadovoljstvo pri uporabi plenic. Na maloprodajno ceno plenic statistično dokazano ne vpliva izbira spletnega trgovca, je pa cena odvisna od blagovne znamke, tipa plenic in teže otroka, ki pogojuje velikostno številko plenice. Med proučevanimi vzorci se po kakovosti ocenjeni po Spearmanu najbolj odlikuje plenica znamke Babylove Premium Windeln, ki je najcenejša in zelo vpojna, dokaj tanka in med vzorci ni najtežja. Širina in debelina vpojnega jedra nista odvisni od velikostne številke plenic, prav tako ni soodvisnosti med masnim deležem vpojnega jedra in vpojnostjo. Podrobna primerjava plenice znamke Pampers z ekološko plenico znamke Kit&Kin je pokazala pomembne razlike ne le v višji ceni plenice Kit&Kin, temveč tudi v strukturi vpojnega jedra, ki ga v plenici Kit&Kin sestavlja mešanica vlaken in superabsorpcjskega polimera, v plenici Pampers pa sta ti dve vpojni sestavini ločeni z vlaknovino. Izkazalo se je, da je plenica Kit&Kin bolj biorazgradljiva v primerjavi s plenico Pampers, saj je tekom pet-tedenskega zakopa v humusni ilovici izkazala 23-odstotno izgubo mase, kar je odraz razkrajanja vlaken vpojnega jedra zaradi delovanja mikroorganizmov. Na podlagi rezultatov je bilo izdelano priporočilo kupcem o izbiri plenic z manjšim razponom teže, saj so le-te cenejše, se bolje prilegajo in tesnijo ter zagotavljajo boljši izkoristek materiala, s čimer se prispeva k manjši obremenitvi okolja. Test z zakopom je primerna in dokaj hitra metoda, ki poda uporabniku vpogled o morebitni prisotnosti potencialno toksičnih snovi.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: otroške plenice za enkratno uporabo, nakupovalne navade, tržna analiza, analiza konstrukcije in materialov, biorazgradnja
• Work type: Bachelor thesis/paper
• Organization: NTF - Faculty of Natural Sciences and Engineering
• Year: 2021
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-129694
• Publication date in RUL: 07.09.2021

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Development of a simple methode for assessing the quality of disposable baby diapers

Abstract

In the thesis, a simple method for evaluating the quality of disposable baby diapers was developed. For this purpose, information on users' experiences with baby diapers was obtained, a thorough analysis of disposable diapers in Slovenian online shops was conducted, the composition of materials from which disposable diapers are made and the biodegradability of two diaper samples in soil were determined. A large proportion of parents (96%) use disposable diapers, with Pampers, Babylove and Violeta being the most reliable brands. Poor absorbency and poor sealing of diapers are the main reasons for dissatisfaction with diaper use. It is not statistically proven that the retail price of diapers is affected by the choice of an online retailer, but the price depends on the brand, the type of diaper and the weight of the baby, which determines the size specification of the diaper. Among the samples studied, the diaper Babylove Premium Windeln stands out the most in terms of quality rated by Spearman, it is the cheapest, very absorbent, quite thin and not the heaviest among the samples. The width and thickness of the absorbent core do not depend on the size of the diaper, and there is also no correlation between the mass proportion of absorbent core and absorbency. A detailed comparison of the Pampers diaper with the Kit & Kin bio-diaper revealed significant differences not only in the higher price of the Kit & Kin diaper, but also in the structure of the absorbent core, which in the Kit & Kin diaper is a mixture of fibres and superabsorbent polymer, whereas in the Pampers diaper these absorbent components are separated by a nonwoven fabric. The Kit & Kin diaper was found to be more biodegradable compared to the Pampers diaper, with a 23% weight reduction during a five-week burial in soil, due to the degradation and rotting of the absorbent core fibres by the action of microorganisms. Based on the results, customers were advised to choose diapers with a lighter weight as they are cheaper, fit better, and seal better while providing better material utilization, which contributes to a lower environmental impact. The burial test is a suitable and relatively quick method that provides the user with information on the possible presence of potentially toxic substances.

• Keywords: disposable diapers, shopping habits, market analysis, design and material analysis, biodegradability.