Disposable nappies?

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Permalink Reply by Ben on February 2, 2009 at 9:19pm

We've been re-using some (third-hand!) nappies for last six months. In my experience, it really doesn't take much extra time: when putting them on / taking them off your baby, the time difference compared to disposables is trivial; there's the extra time washing them / hanging them up to dry - but again, any extra time taken is negligible. Things may be getting a bit more complicated, now that we're weaning (for the last month): sometimes flushing faeces down the loo is easier said than done - I'll spare you the details! Apart from that, the only thing that's made me wonder whether this is quite such the no-brainer is whether it's really ecologically effective to be washing them all at home: the washing machine is never full for our nappy wash; I use a higher temperature than I do for other clothes (to make sure any germs are killed); so that feels a bit environmentally inefficient? But otherwise, like you say, this seems to be a no-brainer.

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Permalink Reply by Sophie on February 10, 2009 at 10:58am

I agree. If I had children I would certainly go down the Real Nappies route for its cost- and waste-saving benefits.
There is continual debate about which is 'better' for the environment - disposable nappies which take years to decompose and spend most of their lifetime taking up valuable landfill space, or reusable nappies which can be equally damaging due to the amount of energy used for washing and drying them.

The Environment Agency carried out a lifecycle analysis a few years ago and concluded there was "no significant difference between any of the environmental impacts". This is taking into account every single impact of each product from the raw materials (cotton plants, trees etc) through to the inevitable end (CO2 emissions etc).

The key issue appears to be how exactly the individual goes about using reusable nappies. In order to make it environmentally viable they must be washed on a relatively cool temperature and hung out to dry. Tumble dryers are one of the biggest household energy consumers, so these must be avoided if at all possible. A-rated washing machines are the most efficient, and WEN volunteers a figure of 17% decrease in global warming impact if an A-rated machine is used to wash 24 nappies at 60 degrees.

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Permalink Reply by Nick on April 27, 2009 at 1:05pm

Check it out... it's "Real Nappy Week"! Various events in London will be hosted on the following website: http://www.goreal.org.uk/events/real-nappy-week/london

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Permalink Reply by Nick on April 27, 2009 at 1:08pm

Oh, and some interesting summary stats on relative price from the Ethical Superstore blog...

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Permalink Reply by Rosie Aneja on April 27, 2009 at 1:24pm

I am about to have a baby and plan to try the green option but I have been warned that nappy rash can be worse with terry towelling - so it will depend on how sensitive a baby's skin is and how long they sit in a wet nappy.
There is a Surrey-based company called 'Little Naturals' - my mum met the owner but from some brief research I think the company might have disappeared.
There are companies in SW London who will turn up in a van and take nappies away to be cleaned but I think this might defeat the object, by the time the van has done it's rounds!!
If this discussion thread is still around in July i will update with my progress, costs and results.

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Permalink Reply by Paddy_W on October 12, 2009 at 11:58pm

Hi Rosie - the thread is still around, and it's now October! How are you getting on? (progress, costs, results!)

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