A used nappy is probably one of the last things a cyclist wants on their head to cushion the impact of a crash.
But recycled nappies will soon be used to make crash helmets - along with a range of other products - after planning permission was granted for a recycling plant in Birmingham.
Babies get through thousands of nappies before they are potty trained, most of which end up in landfill. The new plant is forecast to process up to 30,000 tonnes of nappies and incontinence products each year.
The Knowaste site will wash the material and mechanically separate the different parts, allowing plastic, super-absorbent polymers and wood pulp to be recycled.
The materials could then be used to make roof tiles, helmets and shoe insoles, while in the future, methane from the nappies could be supplied into the gas network.
Four more such plants are planned in the UK over the next five years.
Commenting on the use of nappies to make helmets, a spokesman for the Environmental Transport Association said: "Cycling is already green, but cyclists who buy these helmets will also be doing their bit to reduce landfill."
