Silica Gel from used diapers

I've seen this disposable diaper some days ago at the back of the house. when It rained it expands to about 8 times its original size when dry. I extracted the gel easily and disposed of the plastics. I wonder if its of any help to soil if use to capture water. Or does it have any use after my grandson done with his peeing?

The silica gel is a polymer.  In the diaper industry it's called Super Absorbent Polymer (or SAP).  It's also used in potting soil that advertises how well is holds water.  If you're trying to avoid plastics or polymers in your garden, I'd avoid using it.  

The polymer in disposable diapers can be used for water holding in soil but I would not put it into the ground, It is easier to contain in container plantings and that way you aren't contaminating your soil, just the potted soil.

As Mike brought up, it is considered a plastic, so using it is up to you. I would rather see people use expanded mica (vermiculite) as a water holding component, that way you are just using a mineral found in nature instead of a manmade particle.

Redhawk