Environment

Disposables vs. Real nappies

Disposables
For a family disposable nappies make up the most of the households waste. A baby can produce around 2 tonnes of nappies before they are potty trained. With many families throughout the UK up to Eight million disposable nappies are thrown away every day, and mostly go to landfill sites. In Derbyshire alone  it is estimated that around 9000 tonnes of nappy waste is disposed of every year, costing Derbyshire County Council over £300,000 in disposal costs. Which I’m sure is the same for many councils all over the UK so it’s not surprising that are council tax is on the rise.
The other concern is that with most of these nappies going to landfill sites, is there room to keep disposing disposable nappies in this way. With the estimated time for a disposable nappy to decompose is 500 years, as it is made from over 95% of extruded plastic, scary to think that the first disposable nappy is still in the ground. With this also comes concerns of all this human waste in landfill sites it could lead to problems of contamination and public health risks.
It also uses energy to manufacture the disposable nappies but this is an ongoing project as new nappies are always needed.

Real Nappies
Real nappies are up to 40% better for the environment, the fact that real nappies are less damaging to the environment, for some people, is the main reason for using washable nappies, or is a factor in their decision. If you follow the washing guidelines and tips you can make using real nappies even greener.
1.    Wash nappies at 60c and wash wraps at 40c there no need to boil wash make sure it’s a full load
2.    Use A-rated appliances to reduce energy and water
3.    Don’t use fabric conditioner it reduces absorbency
4.    Use eco – friendly washing powders
5.    Potty train when you feel your child is aware
6.    Don’t iron nappies there is no need to
7.    Avoid tumble drying – hang outside or on airier
8.    Store used nappies in a lidded bucket – no need to soak
9.     Use real nappies for more than one child or sell on

Using washable nappies puts the parents in control of the effects they have on the environment. Cloth nappies also use energy for manufacturing, but your one bundle of nappies will be used countless times and then the option to use with other children or pass/ sell on. There is energy used in caring for them but with following the tips and guide lines this can be reduced.