Real Nappies are better for the environment - its offical!!

nichep · Real Nappies are better for the environment - its offical!!

Real nappies are up to 40% better for the environment than disposables; a new report from the government has stated today.

The key finding of the report shows that the environmental benefits are achieved by following simple washing guidelines like:

· avoiding tumble drying nappies, · using A-rated appliances and · washing in full loads at no more than 60 degrees
These are all measures recommended by nappy manufacturers and commonly used by parents .
The report highlights that unlike disposables, washable nappies put parents in control of the impact they have on the environment.
Parents using real nappies will also be financially better off. It has long been known that real nappies save parents hundreds of pounds and now this advice on washing methods, which are supported and promoted by the Real Nappy Campaign, will help reduce fuel bills too. The savings in costs and for the environment are even better when real nappies are used on a second child as many families do.
Laura Smith, mum to 8 month old Conner said:
“We already wash all the family laundry at lower temperatures and don’t use a tumble drier. With increasing energy bills I think more people are opting for energy efficient washing options and we’re delighted that this report backs up our decision to use washable nappies.”

An additional concern caused by disposable nappy use, is the pressure on UK landfill sites from the disposal of 690,000 tonnes of nappy waste each year; most of which are landfilled. This issue is not covered by the newly published report yet is still a major concern for consumers and only confirms the environmental benefits of using washable nappies.

Jon Rolls of the Real Nappy Campaign stated:
“The findings of this report will confirm what many real nappy users already felt to be true; they will also alleviate the confusion caused by the earlier Environment Agency report. The clear message to parents is that by using washable nappies sensibly they are opting for the most environmentally friendly nappy option, and saving themselves money. Washable nappies in all shapes, sizes and designs are readily available through independent, online and high street retailers”

Jon Rolls added:
The Real Nappy Campaign clearly has an important ongoing role in continuing the promotion of washable nappies, as well as providing information on how to ensure their environmental impact is minimised. We recognise that real nappy users occasionally find it convenient to use disposable nappies too and we are pleased to see that disposable manufacturers recognise the need to improve the environmental impact of their products. Given the outcome of this report we look forward to constructive dialogue with the disposable industry about how we can help to further reduce the impact of disposables.

wildgarlic

It's good to see this report after the last one a few years back that wasn't accurate.

mastercomposter · Real Nappies

Ditto on report - very positive.

Just to say Aberdeen Forward run the Real Nappy Project across Aberdeenshire as well. Our lovely "nappy lady" Sharan can be contacted on 07921971417 or on Aberdeen Forwards number 01224 213736.

Master Composter (Chris)

wildgarlic

Thanks Chris - perhaps you could ask her to pop in here from time to time

Is there still the financial incentive for people to switch to real nappies? I know that when I last asked about it (3 years ago now I guess) that it had been withdrawn.

mastercomposter · Nappies

No - no incentives any more.

Master Composter (Chris)

nichep

No there is no financial incentive in Aberdeen or the shire, although many other authorities still have incentive schemes

baldowrie

I am not disputing the gist of what is being said, however

nichep

http://randd.defra.gov.uk/Document.aspx?Document=WR0705_7589_FRP.pdf

wildgarlic

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/...=/earth/2008/10/17/eanappy117.xml

Can find reference to the article on several sites but can't see anything about it on the Environment Agency site.

wildgarlic

Ahhh you posted before I got there Nicole - thanks

purpleblade76

Hi all, don't know if this is of any use to you but saw this deal on a site earlier

try this link for a bargain on reuseable nappies
(I don't know the usual price except what this site was selling them for)

Reuseable Nappies £3 deal

khitajrah

Esther.R

I am about to see health visitor for our 6wk check tomorrow so will be asking, but it certainly was the £15 and then £15 when I had my other daughter (she is 3 in Dec). Oh and hello to another Shetlander!

khitajrah

^^ Hello

(and congratulations!)

Julie

I think these things would be a whole lot greener if people refrained from using disposable inserts like nappy liners. I raised all three of mine with terries and if they have a healthy diet you can shake a neatly formed poo straight into the loo. If they are a bit sloppy as in newborn 'picalilli' a quick sluice in a bucket of water removes the lot.
We never had nappy rash and they don't leak if you know how to fold them properly - neither did any of them ever get stuck with the pin, although I did a few times.
How can we cure mums of the delusion that liners are a good thing?

khitajrah

^^ My friend who has raised 5 used cotton nappies with liners, and she'd wash the liners as well. They're actually quite durable and she could get 3-4 uses out of them.

Maria

Julie said

khitajrah

^^ No, no, I'm talking about the thin papery liners you get on rolls of like 250... they wash fine

I've accidentally washed them myself too, so I know first hand.

Says she who has gone REALLY lazy and now uses Nature Babycare disposable nappies. I used the cloth ones for a year, and then went through a really stressful period and resorted to those disposable ones, with full intentions of going back once things died down. I never did. I fully plan on bringing out the cloth nappies for the next baby though.

Maria

Doh :oops: sorry

Thinking about it, I've probably done the same. Amazing how quickly we forget nappy days. One of the few things that's not really coochy-coo about babycare...although saying that, it's ever so sweet seeing a big nappy bum....as long as it's not full!

Should have said ref this post as a whole....think 'real' nappies are grrreat and glad they're getting the credit they deserve at last.

Julie

I did mean the disposable liners. As far as I'm aware they didn't do any other kind when mine were little. I did try them at first but found them intensely irritating as they rolled up and such. I think I still had the packet with just a few out of it, lying in my airing cupboard ten years later when I had the last baby and I finally threw them away.
If you prefer them and are washing them, then there is no difference as you rightly say. I can't see what convenience benefit they offer though as you are still having to rinse them. I suppose the modern ones probably have that stay dry construction which would make them of some use.

Sassinak

Shaking the 'lump' off the nappy is fine until they have sat on it and bounced around for a while, thoroughly spreading it out and embedding it into the weave of the terry lol
I found nappy liners a godsend and they certainly helped me to use terry nappies a lot longer than if they hadn't been available.

Annpan

I use re-usable liners (just a square off of a cheap fleece blanket) they are great for shaking the poop off (It gets all squished and yik into the pile if you don't use a liner IMO)
I also have flushable liners but I rarley use them since we have a septic tank so you need to put it all in the bin, I'd rather flush the poop and wash the rest.

I am the opposite way around from khitajrah, I used nature babycare for a year then switched to terries (still using babycare overnight though) but I can hear the potty calling.

Good to see this report, I get sick of people telling me they aren't better than disposables.

Julie

The terries have got to be better haven't they. I had 36 terry squares to start off with and was still using the same 36 nappies when I had my third. They were still snowy white when I no longer needed them - if a little thinner - and they got passed on to a friend for her third baby.
Does anyone remember the flat plastic pants that tied at each side? They were great as there was no elastic to cut in and they didn't go brittle and crack. Does anyone know if you can still get them?

I don't know if this is of any use or interest to anyone, but you can get packs of 3 white microfibre squares in the value range at Tecso for £1.00. They are for dusting etc, but are identical to some of the washable nappy liners I have seen on sale elsewhere for considerably more.

Grampian Real Nappy

Hi

Just to let you know that I am the new Project Officer for Grampian Real Nappy Project having taken over the role from Sharon.

If anyone would like advice and tips on the use and care for real nappies please call me.

Also for any Parents out there that would like to trial a selection of real nappies I can organise a two week trial for you free of charge, Just contact me and we can take it from there.

We also buy and sell preloved nappies so any parents out there that do not require their nappies or need to stock up on some more please call me.

Lastly as a charity we rely heavily on volunteers from any area within Grampian - can you spare a couple of hours a week - then again please contact me on details below.

Thanks and hope to hear from you soon.

Vicky
Project Officer
01224 213736/07921 971417
nappysouth@abzforward.plus.com