Billions of disposable nappies are thrown away in the UK each
year, most ending up in landfill sites. But there is an
alternative. In this article, we consider the pros and cons of
reusable nappies, so you can make the right decision for you, your
child and the environment.
Q: Should I use resuable nappies?
A: Reusable nappies do have a number of
advantages over disposables: they are better for the environment,
cheaper and kinder to your baby's skin. We currently use two
billion nappies every year and 90 per cent of them end up in
landfill sites. Once there, soiled nappies can take up to 500 years
to decompose. During that time, they pollute the atmosphere (by
emitting the greenhouse gas methane) and can contaminate soil and
water.
The
Ecologist magazine has reported that disposable nappies can
also contain up to 200 chemicals.Reusable nappies are made from
natural fabrics that are breathable and prevent irritation, as well
as sustaining a more natural temperature for your child.
Q: Didn't we hear that reusable nappies use up the
same amount of resources as disposables?
A. It's true that a report for the Environment Agency in 2008
compared the environmental impact of using disposable and cloth
nappies over a period of two-and-a-half years. They worked out that
disposables are less polluting than reusable nappies.
This has caused some controversy, however, as the figures depend
on how you wash and dry cloth nappies. For example, if you wash
your nappies at 60 degrees C (the minimum temperature recommended
by the Department of Health) and dry three out of four loads on a
washing line - with the rest being tumble dried - this would indeed
be more polluting than using disposables.
But if you wash your nappies on a fuller load, use an energy
efficient washing machine and always hang them out to dry, it's
much better for the environment. And if you use your nappies on a
second child, for example, the pollution associated with using
cloth nappies falls even further.
Q: Are they difficult to use?
A: Reusable nappies have improved considerably in recent years
and are far more sophisticated than when Terry nappies were most
parents' only option. For example, the oversized nappy pin is now a
thing of the past. Instead, a variety of safer fastening
alternatives are now available, such as poppers, plastic clips or
velcro fastening.
Another difference is that most modern reusable nappies are shaped
similarly to their disposable alternatives so there is no need for
folding. There are also lots of different styles available, so it
should be easy to find one to suit your baby's body shape.
You could buy a trial pack of reusable nappies (available from most
reusable nappy companies) to find out what type is best for your
child. A well-fitting reusable nappy should give just as much
protection to your baby as the disposable alternative, so there
should be no need for extra changes.
Q: How expensive are reusable nappies?
A: Using reusable nappies can save you money. Depending on the
style, reusables vary in price, but the following nappy comparison
from the Women's Environment
Network should give you a rough idea:
Flat nappies
You can expect to pay just under £50 for two and a half years'
worth of flat nappies, which will include liners and
fastenings. Add £133 for washing energy and detergent, and that's a
total cost of £183. You may need to buy a larger set as your baby
gets bigger - resulting in an overall cost of £233 until your child
is potty trained. However, this type of nappy does involve folding,
which you may find tricky at first.
Shaped nappies
You can buy a full set of birth-to-potty shaped nappies with wraps
and liners, which are easy to use and should provide everything you
need in one go. The approximate cost would be £226 plus £133 for
washing energy and detergent - a total price of £359 until your
child is potty trained.
Disposable nappies
Branded disposable nappies cost approximately £934 a year (based on
six changes a day); non-brand disposables cost around £924 a year
(based on six changes a day). That's approximately £600 more
expensive than the reusable option.
Laundry service
A laundry service is another option and this usually works out at a
cost of £8.50-12 a week. This service should provide a weekly
delivery of laundered nappies, a weekly collection of your used
nappies for cleaning. You also get a lidded bin to store them in.
All nappies are cleaned to hospital standards, so are fully
sterilised before they are returned.
To find out if there is a nappy laundering service locally,
start by contacting your local council. Or you could try the National
Association of Nappy Services, or your local branch of the National Childbirth Trust (NCT).
Q: How do I wash them?
A: Washing your child's nappies is one of the downsides to using
reusables. That said, you are saving yourself time by not having to
regularly re-stock on disposable nappies at the shops. Here are
some top tips for a hassle free nappy wash:
- It is a good idea to pre-wash your reusable nappies at least
two to three times before use as this will improve their
absorbency.
- A wash of 60°C is hot enough to ensure that soiled nappies are
clean without reducing the life of the nappy and using unnecessary
energy.
- It is best for your pocket and for the environment to wait
until you have a full load of soiled nappies to be washed. These
can be stored in an airtight container to prevent odours.
- Try to avoid soaking, but add a drop of tea tree oil if these
need to be stored longer than a few days.
- Applying a fabric conditioner may reduce the absorbency of the
nappy - so it is best to avoid this unless really necessary.
- Rinsed soiled nappies or nappies that are merely wet can be
added to the rest of the household washing at a temperature of
40°C.
- Air drying nappies instead of tumble drying cuts the cost of
using reusable nappies, prolongs their life span and is kinder to
the environment.
Q: Where can I get them?
A: You can find reusable nappies in several high street shops
and specialist online stores - try these for starters:
Little
Lamb
Lizzie's Real Nappies
Tots
Bots
Q: Are there any disposable nappies that are more in
balance with nature?
A: If using reusable nappies all the time simply isn't
practicable (for example, when travelling) but you still want to be
eco-conscious, there is another way. Environmentally friendly
disposables contain fewer chemicals and they are free from
bleaching agents, which means no polluting the environment during
manufacturing and decomposition.
You can buy eco-friendly disposables in the shops or online:
Little
Green Earthlets
NatureBotts
Beaming
Baby
Where can I get more information?
The real nappy
guide makes choosing and using easy.
Real Nappies for London is
a pan-London project to raise awareness of alternatives to
single-use nappies. The project is run by the London Community Resource
Network (LCRN) a charity that helps its member deliver
sustainable living to Londoners.
At Real Nappies for London people can get lots of advice and
impartial information, apply for RNfL vouchers if they live in
particular boroughs and buy real nappy gift vouchers for friends
and family.
Go
Real - the real nappy information service.
If you're interested in finding out more about sustainable ways
to raise a child, why not read our 'How
green is your baby?' feature.