5 Ways to Reduce Waste While Managing Incontinence in Singapore
Managing incontinence is a daily reality for many seniors, caregivers, and individuals living with medical conditions. Alongside concerns about comfort, dignity, and hygiene, there is another issue many people quietly worry about: waste.
Adult diapers and disposable incontinence products can accumulate quickly, especially with long-term or daily use. In a highly urbanised country like Singapore, where sustainability and responsible living are increasingly important, many families ask the same question:
Is it possible to manage incontinence well without creating unnecessary waste?
The answer is YES. Reducing waste does not mean compromising on care, cleanliness, or confidence. With informed choices and small habit changes, it is possible to care responsibly for both loved ones and the environment.
Here are five practical and realistic ways to reduce waste while managing incontinence, especially within a Singapore context.
1. Choose the Right Absorbency, Not “The Thicker the Better”
One of the most common causes of unnecessary waste is choosing overly absorbent products “just in case”.
While it may feel safer to use the highest absorbency available, this often leads to:
• Bulky products that are uncomfortable
• Reduced mobility and breathability
• Excess materials that are not needed
At the same time, using products with insufficient absorbency can cause leaks, leading to frequent changes and even more waste.
Choosing the right absorbency depends on when and how the product is used, not just how much protection you assume is needed.
For daytime use
If the user is mobile and moving around, light to moderate absorbency is usually sufficient. These options are more comfortable, breathable, and better suited for daily activities.
For night-time use
Higher absorbency is recommended at night to manage longer hours between changes and reduce the need for waking up for toilet visits or product changes.
For active versus bed-bound users
Activity level matters as much as urine volume. Active users benefit from products that fit securely and move with the body, while bed-bound users may require higher absorbency and stronger leakage protection due to prolonged wear.
At TrueHugz, our diapers are designed with an advanced absorbent core that stays slim. By using high-quality SAP (Super Absorbent Polymer), we pack more “soak power” into a thinner profile. This allows you to achieve the same dryness while using less raw material.
Choosing the right absorbency means fewer changes per day, better comfort, and less product wastage overall.
Tip: If you are unsure, start with moderate absorbency and adjust based on actual usage rather than assumptions.
2. Ensure Proper Fit to Prevent Leaks and Extra Changes
A poorly fitting adult diaper is one of the biggest contributors to leaks, and leaks almost always lead to unnecessary product changes. They also create more laundry for caregivers, such as clothes, bedsheets, towels, and mattress covers, which increases water, electricity, and detergent use.
Fit issues often occur when:
• The size is too large or too small
• Tapes or elastics are not adjusted properly
• Body shape or weight has changed over time
Even a high-quality product will underperform if it does not fit well.
• A good fit hugs the groin and waist areas properly
• Reduces shifting during movement
• Prevents leaks that trigger early disposal
• Measure both waist and hip circumference
• Follow brand-specific sizing guides, as sizing varies
• Re-check sizing after illness, weight loss, or weight gain
• For users who can stand, pull-up styles may offer better mobility
• For users who need assistance standing, tape-style adult diapers are more suitable
Better fit leads to longer wear time, fewer leaks, and less waste.
Note: TrueHugz adjustable tapes work like “magic tapes”, they can be resealed multiple times without losing effectiveness. This allows the diaper to be re-adjusted for comfort fit due to body movements. Conventional tapes may tear the diaper or lose stickiness easily, forcing you to discard a dry diaper unnecessarily.
3. Use Scheduled Toileting to Reduce “Just in Case” Changes
Not everyone who uses adult diapers has complete loss of bladder or bowel control. Many individuals, especially in the early stages of incontinence, retain partial awareness or predictable patterns.
Scheduled or timed toileting helps reduce unnecessary changes by:
• Emptying the bladder before urgency occurs
• Preventing accidents that lead to early disposal
• Supporting dignity and independence
• Encourage toilet visits every 2 to 3 hours
• Go to the toilet before outings, naps, or bedtime
• Use gentle reminders rather than rushing or pressure
This approach is especially helpful for:
• Seniors with mild dementia
• Stroke survivors
• Post-hospital recovery patients
By reducing surprise leaks, scheduled toileting helps users manage their condition better and extend product use safely and responsibly.
4. Dispose Responsibly to Minimise Secondary Waste
Adult diapers are classified as hygiene waste and cannot be recycled. How they are disposed of, therefore matters for the hygiene of our homes and neighbourhoods.
Many caregivers “double-bag” or even “triple-bag” used diapers to mask odour, which adds to the demand for more plastic disposal bags.
• Roll used products tightly and seal them properly
- TrueHugz diapers are designed to roll into a compact bundle
- Our resealable "magic tape" helps secure soiled diapers tightly for disposal
- Our pull-up pants also include a dedicated disposal tape (marked in blue)
• Reuse the diaper bag to throw away soiled diaper where possible
• Use covered bins to contain odour
• Empty household waste regularly
In Singapore’s compact living environment, proper disposal improves hygiene while avoiding excessive plastic use.
Additional tip: Using high-absorbency, odour-controlling products can reduce the need for extra bagging. Just one bag is enough for our TrueHugz diaper disposal due to the odour neutralising properties. In addition, our packaging comes with a high-quality ziplock bag, allowing you to reuse the empty diaper bag as a hygienic disposal bag instead of throwing it away.
Many of our customers also reuse our diaper bags to organise household items, for shopping, or for storage at home. Giving our packaging a “second life” supports our mission to reduce waste in Singapore.
5. Choose Products Designed for Efficiency, Not Excess
Not all adult diapers are created equal. Some rely on bulk and thickness, while others focus on absorbency efficiency, absorbing more with less material.
Products designed for efficiency:
• Stay thin even when wet
• Reduce skin irritation and rashes
• Require fewer changes per day
• Generate less waste over time
• High-performance absorbent cores
• Breathable materials suitable for Singapore’s climate
• Products designed for extended wear without discomfort
• Good odour control to prevent early disposal
Choosing better-designed products supports both user comfort and responsible consumption.
At TrueHugz, our design focuses on effective absorbency, comfort, and breathability. This helps caregivers and users reduce leaks, maintain good skin health, and feel more confident and dignified. We also consider environmental impact, for example, by packing more pieces into each bag so one pack lasts longer, and by encouraging reuse of packaging.
Why Reducing Waste Also Improves Care
Reducing waste is not just an environmental concern. It often leads to better care outcomes:
• Fewer unnecessary changes reduce skin irritation
• Better fit improves comfort and mobility
• Structured routines reduce caregiver stress
• Lower product usage helps manage long-term costs
Most importantly, it shifts the mindset from “using more” to using wisely.
Conclusion: Small Changes, Meaningful Impact
Managing incontinence is a long-term journey, and sustainability does not require drastic changes.
It starts with awareness, informed choices, and small daily improvements, such
• Choosing the right absorbency
• Using scheduled toileting
• Disposing responsibly
• Selecting efficient, well-designed products
With these steps, you can significantly reduce waste while maintaining comfort, hygiene, and dignity.
At TrueHugz, we believe responsible care should be kind to the person and mindful of the world we live in.
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Reference
• International Continence Society (ICS)
Incontinence management, product selection, and conservative care strategies
• World Health Organization (WHO)
Ageing, long-term care, hygiene management, and sustainable healthcare practices
• National Health Service (NHS), UK
Urinary incontinence treatment, bladder training, and lifestyle management
• Continence Foundation of Australia
Best practices in continence care, product use, fitting, and waste reduction
• Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), Singapore
Caregiver guidance, active ageing, and long-term care support