Disposable nappies are thrown away with your normal household rubbish. However, the disposal of nappies has a harmful effect on the environment and creates tonnes of additional waste for disposal. In the UK we throw 8 MILLION nappies into landfill EVERY DAY.
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY REPORT REVEALS CLOTH NAPPIES CAN SAVE 40% CARBON EMISSIONS
Washable nappies can save 40% carbon emissions over disposables an Environment Agency study published 23rd October 08 reveals. 'An updated lifecycle assessment study for disposable and reusable nappies'examines the environmental impacts of the two systems. While at first glance the report suggests there may be little to choose between them, it shows how a good washing routine can make all the difference. Simply washing nappies in fuller loads in an energy efficient machine and line drying them provides over 40% reduction in carbon. Reusing nappies on a second child saves even more.
Biba Hartigan of Women's Environmental Network (WEN) says "At last, this report supports what WEN has been stating for decades - real nappies are best for the environment with 40% carbon savings to be made over disposables. It's easy to make a difference with a sensible washing routine. It's just common sense. And parents can save money with real nappies too. " The difference between the systems could be even greater. Some key assumptions in the report are questionable. It is assumed that people use more washable nappies than disposables. WEN research based on larger, statistically sound samples has found that there is no difference in the number of nappies used. Unlike the simple washing routine which anyone can adopt now, improvements posed for the disposables system are not currently available. Further weight reduction requires technological development and widespread MBT recycling is a long way off.
Using Real Nappies could help every young family in the country achieve a 40%+ carbon saving on nappies.
The above text is from Womens Environmental Network
Mid Sussex Council urges parents to consider the alternatives to disposable nappies.
As part of Mid Sussex District Council's ongoing campaign to reduce, reuse and recycle the district's rubbish; parents in the district are encouraged to make an informed decision when choosing what type of nappies to use for their child. There are a currently number of initiatives provided by Better Tomorrows for West Sussex County Council to encourage parents to make the change to real (washable) nappies.
Real (washable) nappies are now widely available in a range of sizes, colours, designs and prices. There are many advantages to using real nappies, including reduced cost; health benefits, a reduction in rubbish, plus numerous environmental benefits. Read on to find out more about the options that are available.
Real Nappies today are much more user friendly than the old terry towelling squares that some of us may remember!
There are many advantages to using washable nappies in terms of cost; health; waste prevention & the environment!
- Cost Buying disposable nappies can be costly. Keeping your child in home laundered cotton nappies (as opposed to disposable nappies) could save you over £500! (This is even taking into account the costs of purchasing a washing machine, electricity and washing powder)
- Health Disposable nappies are made from super-absorbent chemicals, paper pulp and plastics whilst real nappies are usually made of natural fabrics such as cotton.
- Waste 30 million nappies are thrown away in West Sussex every year. The majority of these end up in landfill sites, where the plastic components may take hundreds of years to decompose. the contents of the nappies would be much better treated as sewage waste and should not really be in landfill. In Mid Sussex, the landfill sites are rapidly running out of space - we need to reduce, re-use and recycle as much of our rubbish as possible.
- Environment When measuring environmental impact of nappies in terms of resources, water, energy and land use, disposable nappies have nearly twice the environmental impact of home laundered nappies.
For more information and facts about real nappies see the Women's Environmental Network website or the Real Nappy Campaign website.
REAL NAPPIES IN WEST SUSSEX
In West Sussex we have less than 5 years of landfill space left. Every year, we are throwing away more and more into our bins and it is estimated that disposable nappies make up at least 2-3% of that rubbish.
Thankfully, there is an alternative to disposable nappies. Mid Sussex District Council in partnership with West Sussex County Council operates a real (washable) nappy use campaign. As part of the West Sussex "for better tomorrows" waste prevention initiative, starter packs of cotton nappies are available to new parents. 2 free nappy packs are offered.
FREE Nappy pack size 1
- up to 4 months (6lbs up to 20lbs)
- 2 extra small shaped cotton nappies 6-12lbs
- 2 small shaped cotton nappies 8-12lbs
- 2 nappy covers/wraps (one extra small and one small)
- 2 rolls of biodegradable nappy liners
- Information Guide on fitting and washing the nappies.
FREE Nappy pack size 2
- over 4 months (8lbs up to 35lbs)
- 2 large - shaped cotton nappies 20-35lbs with 1 wrap
- 2 one size cotton nappies 8-35lbs with 1 wrap
- 2 rolls of biodegradable nappy liners
The second pack can be claimed from 6 weeks and anytime up to when your child is 12 months old.
For full details please visit For Better Tomorrows
Real nappies are now widely available at many local outlets. Real nappies come in all shapes and sizes. New parents can choose from a range of designs and prices to suit their lifestyle and budget. Take a look at the retailers below to see what is avaiable.
Bambino Mio
01604 883777
Hello Baby Stock a range of reuseable cotton nappies and accessories.
Little Green Earthlets
01825 873301
Lizzies Real Nappies Online questionnaire, offering advice on most suitable brands of nappies and accessories.
Nursery World, 22 Church Rd, Burgess Hill
01444 242000
Perfectly Happy People
08448 264200
Schmidt Natural Clothing
0845 345 0498
SnuggleNaps
01522 778926
Spirit of Nature
Stocks a range of natural and environmentally friendly products for mother and baby. Stocks Bambo Nature, Moltex Eco and washable nappies. Free eco-disposable samples are available. Phone 0870 725 9885 or visit Website.
Nappy Valley Online market place for selling & buying quality nearly new baby itmes including cotton nappies.
If you are a local outlet selling real nappies and you would like to be listed here, please contact 01444 4777406 or email wastetmatters@midsussex.gov.uk
A Parent's Experience of Real Nappies
Real Nappy UsersSue Wallis
Sue Wallis from Haywards Heath started using washable nappies on 9-month-old Sophie from birth. She initially heard about using real nappies from a friend, and decided to try them out for herself, mainly because she had serious concerns about the environmental impacts of sending disposable nappies to landfill sites.
Sue uses all in one shaped cotton nappies and has a stock of about twenty. Sue said "I'm completely sold on using washable nappies - they are really not as much effort as people might imagine. I keep my dirty nappies soaking in an airtight container with a few drops of tea tree oil to sanitise and mask any smells and I'll do a wash every 2 or 3 days, at 60 degrees. The nappies come out completely clean and stain free"
The biggest advantage Sue identified is the cost saving, Sue said "Washable nappies are completely re-useable and can last long enough to use for subsequent children, the nappies I use are adjustable so they can be made bigger as Sophie grows, I really think I've made a significant financial saving by using washable nappies"
The only disadvantage Sue could think of was the fact that real nappies are not always practical when going on holiday; Sue said "From time to time I have used the odd disposable nappy when away for the weekend or whilst on holiday. Obviously if you don't have access to a washing machine - then real nappies can be a bit difficult!"
Sue's top tips were:-
- Buy nappies that fit well, and to save money, buy nappies that are adjustable and can be made bigger as your child grows.
- Use an airtight container to store dirty nappies with some water and a few drops of tea tree oil.
Use the thin, bio-degradable liners inside the nappy to catch any solid waste, this can be flushed straight down the toilet - where sewage waste should go!
REAL NAPPY ADVICE
The Nappy Lady
There are some great tips, information and advice on all aspects of real nappies including fitting, using, laundering, potty training etc on The Nappy Lady website. The Nappy Lady can recommned which nappies will most suiit your child and your lifestyle.
The Real Nappy Helpline
The Real Nappy Helpline - 0845 850 0606 - is a service available for consumers to find out more information regarding real nappies. Callers can find out general information about nappies, where to buy them and what incentive schemes are available in their area.
The Real Nappy Campaign
The Real Nappy Campaign Website holds information on using real nappies, the benefits that real nappies can offer, personal experience stories, questions and answers, news, events and various factsheets.
Last updated 23/03/10
Downloads/Links
The Real Nappy Campaign - www.goreal.org.uk
Women's Environmental Network - www.wen.org.uk/
Contacts
Refuse & Recycling Team
Refuse & Recycling Team 01444 477440 or use our secure General Enquiry Form (
) to contact us with any queries you may have.
