Cruelty Free Living
Issue 2: July-September 1998

Nappies and the environment

Babies need nappies, but what type should you choose? Until the introduction of the disposable nappy some 30 years ago, there was no choice. Square, cotton terry nappies were the only option, usually changed and laundered by women. Disposables offered a quick, convenient and labour-saving alternative, so is it surprising that over 80% of new parents in Britain now choose them? However disposables are bad news - but it's never too late to start using cloth nappies! They are the least expensive, the least harmful to our planet and the least likely to cause nappy rash.

Over a two and a half year period, disposables will cost parents between Ł645 and Ł805. Then there's junior nappies and training pants...! not to mention the cost of disposal by local authorities. A washing service, using cloth nappies, charges a comparable amount to cover the same period with no hidden cost of waste disposal.

Fitted reusables vary in price but you can shop around to find what best suits your needs and budget. Terries are cheapest and one size fits all. An estimated cost is Ł250 including all accessories, washing agents, energy and Ł150 wear and tear on a washing machine.

Every baby uses about 6000 nappies before potty training, which means that we throw away as many as 9 million disposables...every day...in the UK alone! The Real Nappy Association suggest that 95% of disposables end up in household rubbish yet it is unlawful to put excrement into landfill sites because of the risk of untreated sewage to public health. Edinburgh has three landfill sites used for domestic rubbish Seafield, East Craigs and Craigmillar, as disposable nappies take hundreds of years to decompose it is an alarming thought that every disposable nappy ever used in Edinburgh is still around in one of these landfill sites!

Some Facts

We chop down 7 million trees every year in order to produce these disposables.
Disposables contain at least 2 different kinds of plastic.
Dangerous viruses from baby vaccinations are found still living in disposable nappies - these infectious mountains of festering faeces, take up to 500 years to decompose.
Rabbits and other animals are used to test the toxicity of the absorbent gels used in the manufacture of many disposables.
Prolonged skin contact with soiled nappies causes nappy rash. All nappies have to be changed regularly, but breathable cotton is cooler, allowing more air to circulate. US studies indicate that babies wearing disposables get nappy rash five times more often than if they use professionally laundered nappies.

A growing awareness of these facts has led to a shift away from disposables in countries like Canada, Australia and the United States. This in turn has meant higher sales of washables and the growth of nappy washing services which supply cotton nappies, collect them when soiled and deliver freshly laundered ones in return. In the UK nappy washing services have emerged in the last few years and sales of reusables are now starting to increase as parents consider the real cost of disposables.

[SOURCES: Women's Environmental Network, The National Association of Nappy Services, Alison Smyth of Nappy Days]

Useful Addresses

Information Co-ordinator, WEN Trust
87 Worship Street, LONDON EC2A 2BE
Tel: (0171) 247 3327

The WEN Trust is a registered charity working to educate, inform and empower women who care about the environment.
The National Association of Nappy Services (NANS)
Nappy Tails Offices, Unit 1, Hall Farm
South Moreton, Nr Didcot, Oxon OX11 9AH,
Tel: (0121) 693 4949

A voluntary, non profit organisation which sets out the industry's operating standards and guidelines. Promotes cotton nappies use.
Real Nappy Association (RNA) PO Box 3704
LONDON, SE26 4RX
Tel: (0181) 299 4519

A membership and contact organisation, providing information on all aspects of using cotton nappies.
Nappy Days
Tel: (0131) 664 0600

A nappy laundry service based in Edinburgh. The basic weekly cost of Ł6 includes delivery of 20 freshly laundered cotton nappies plus nappy liners and pickup of soiled nappies from the deodorised nappy bin and photodegradable bin liners supplied. Waterproof nappy wraps can be hired (newborn) or bought.