A group of researchers has tested whether discarded nappies could be the future of low-cost housing.
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Each day 3.75 million disposable nappies are used in Australia and New Zealand according to Sustainability Victoria.
And it's estimated conventional nappies take up to 150 years to break down.
Researchers in Japan saved 1.7 cubic metres of waste from landfill by cleaning and shredding old nappies to use as building material.
Typically made from wood pulp, cotton, viscose rayon and plastics, disposable diapers are difficult to recycle.
But the research, published in Scientific Reports, found up to eight per cent of the sand in concrete and mortar could be replaced with the nappy waste before it lost its strength.
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The project is touted as a solution to high demand for low-cost housing by creating building materials from non-degradable waste.
Previous research has analysed natural fibres, earthen materials and industrial-building waste as cheap alternatives.
The 36 square metre house was designed in line with the standard for low-cost housing with two bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen and living space.
The researchers suggest their findings could help reduce waste and building costs in low and middle-income countries.
