In a measure to help reduce pollution, disposable diapers will soon be outlawed in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu, according to reports.

Following approval, the ban, which was announced by Foreign Minister Ralph Regenvanu, will go into effect on December 1 and will include other items like plastic drink stirrers, plastic cutlery, polystyrene cups and certain types of food packaging.

Disposable diapers in particular, according to Regenvanu, are the most significant single-item source of household waste in Vanuatu’s capital city of Port Vila. The products are typically lined with non-biodegradable plastic and contain the chemical sodium polyacrylate as an absorbent, both of which impact the environment. Additionally, discarded diapers contain human waste that leaches chemicals into the environment instead of being treated by passing through a sewage treatment facility. To underscore the issue, environmental group WorldWatch estimated that roughly 450 billion diapers are used each year around the world, significantly contributing to climate change, according to the group.

"Eliminating this item alone will disproportionately reduce plastic waste," Regenvanu tweeted.

The ban follows a similar one enacted last year to outlaw single-use plastic bags. Vanuatu is among the first countries in the world to do so.

Looking for a similar solution to the mounting disposable diaper waste issue, a Dutch firm has developed a way to recycle the product, using it to create everyday items by extracting plastic from the discarded diapers and turning it into outdoor lawn furniture or flower pots.