Zero Waste: Nappies

Which sort to choose?

There is ongoing debate about the merits of disposable versus reusable (i.e. cloth) nappies. It can get pretty emotional. If you want the facts in relation to saving the planet go to:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/acrobat/nappies_1072099.pdf
This report, published by the UK Environment Agency in May 2005, is called ‘Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable & Reusable Nappies in the UK’.
This is a very thorough and impartial report. It determines that both types of nappies burden the planet, at more or less equal rates, although for different reasons. Laundering nappies, both washing and drying, impacts on the planet. The disposal of disposables (obviously!) also impacts on the planet.

Cost is an issue

At 50c per disposable nappy it’s about $3000 per child over two and a half years thrown into landfill, excluding the refuse cost. Using a laundry service for cloth nappies is about $3,250 over the same period. If you wash them yourself it’s only about a quarter of the cost. As well as laundry costs there is about $700 for the initial outlay of:
nappies, over-pants or wraps, a storage container for between washes, and nappy liners.

What’s available?

There are a number of really good nappies of both types on the market. Nappy producers are aware of environmental concerns, but a few in the name of advertising use some out-of-date scare tactics. An example of this is some stories claiming sodium poly-acrylate gels were used in tampons, and thus are linked to toxic shock syndrome. The fact is these gels were not used in tampons. But, yes, superabsorbant gels are is used in disposable nappies to absorb the urine. Research shows that poly-acrylate gels are a non-hazardous substance in landfills, and are non-toxic on human skin. Indeed, they are commonly used in food packaging.

Reusable nappies

Cloth nappies in New Zealand are colourful, easy to use and there are several companies that provide a laundering service at approximately $25 a week. Biodegradable liners are available, too.
The Nappy Network website has good information about all the different types www.thenappynetwork.org.nz

Disposable nappies

The best products use oxygen-bleaching, and local ‘seconds’ or renewable wood fibre sources. One brand has an absorbent core using GMO free corn starch.
http://www.kca.com.au/
http://www.nourish.net.nz/index.php/cPath/25_405

Disposables and biodegradability

A baby will need up to 6000 nappy changes for the first two and half years. Around a million nappies are thrown into landfills every day in New Zealand. (Based on 145,000 children under two and half in NZ using 6-7 disposables per day). In 2003 1.9% of all domestic waste was made up of "nappies” (SWAP data). Dealing with nappy waste costs individual local authorities tens of thousands of dollars a year and the decomposing material in landfill creates methane gas which is a major contributor to global warming. In New Zealand currently twenty-two per cent of landfills (13 sites) collect gas, however only 5-6 sites are using the gas to generate electricity. The dark and dry conditions in landfills are designed not to assist decomposition.
http://www.mfe.govt.nz/issues/waste/special/nappies
Christchurch City Council has a new scheme subsidizing parents to try cloth nappies, in order to reduce the council costs of landfill in the longer term. Go to the council website for details. Suggest to your local council, if you’re not a Christchurch resident, that they do the same.
http://www.ccc.govt.nz/Waste/NappySubsidies/

Disposables and Composting toilets

Two types of New Zealand designed and manufactured composting toilets cope very well with disposable nappies. The manager at Bioloo whose composting toilets are used in some DOC sites, says that when the toilets are emptied, the nappy’s plastic covering has “rolled into a small golf ball”, which needs to be put in the rubbish. Andrew, at Kakapo toilets advises, “Don’t wrap the disposable into a bundle before tossing it in” but assures that the biodegradable part breaks down well. Better still, remove the plastic and tabs.
http://www.bioloo.co.nz/
http://www.musselinn.co.nz/kakapo.htm

No Nappies

The true zero waste way to go! This means practicing Elimination Communication or Natural Infant Hygiene with your child. For mothers in some parts of Asia, Africa and South America, knowing when your baby “needs to go’ and holding them over an appropriate place is second nature.
www.natural-wisdom.com

Tips for using reusable nappies

Rashes are reduced if baby is dry, so change a nappy as soon as you notice it has been soiled. Fresh air is important too; let babies go bare as much as possible.
Washables don't have to be soaked, and each brand generally has their own washing instructions, so follow those. Generally though non soiled (urine only) nappies can be washed at 40C, and the jury is out as to whether 60C is necessary for the soiled ones.

Do not use fabric softeners on nappies - this will reduce their absorbency
If you live in a hard water area, putting a tablespoon of white vinegar in the rinse cycle softens the nappies nicely
When storing used nappies in a bucket to be washed, sprinkle over a few drops of tea tree or lavender oil. It is antibacterial and also smells nice!

All nappies have an environmental impact, so reduce yours by:

Using an energy efficient machine and wash with other whites
Using an eco detergent.
Hanging the nappies out to dry rather than use a tumble drier
Don't iron them!
Using washable liners
Reusing them on another baby or selling them on trade me
Purchasing reusables made from organic cotton, bamboo or hemp, and woollen over pants

Resources

www.thenappynetwork.org.nz
- a community group providing info and advice on washable nappies and also a web forum for peer to peer nappy advice
www.rwh.org.au/wellwomens/whic.cfm?doc_id=7691
- has some great facts and figures on the cloth vs disposables debate.
www.ozclothnappies.org
- a voluntary network of cloth nappy users in oz and new zealand
www.treemo.com/users/mrtrombone/channel/item/15203/
- an award winning documentary about washable nappies
www.natural-wisdom.com; www.abcmag.co.uk/editorials/editorial_21_pottyTraining.htm
- info on going nappy free

Suppliers
(you will find plenty more by searching the web, but here’s a few to start)
www.realnappies.co.nz
www.econappies.co.nz
www.naturebaby.co.nz
www.greenbeans.co.nz
www.littleclothkiwis.co.nz

Other
www.cheekywipes.co.nz

You can also try:
www.modernclothnappies.org

This page was last updated Feb. 2008.