Real Nappies - you CAN make a difference

Remember when we actually re-used things instead of throwing them away?

Did you know that in this throw-away society of ours, the average person throws away their body weight in rubbish every seven weeks?  In less than two hours the country produces enough rubbish to fill the Royal Albert Hall!

 

One of the biggest climate crimes in the Western world is the mountain of disposable nappies dumped on landfill sites. They account for almost half of a family’s weekly rubbish- that’s over a tonne of waste in the 2  years your baby will spend in nappies! If we all stopped using disposables for a whole year we would save almost three billion nappies being thrown away, the weight of 70,000 double decker buses.

 

What a waste 

We know it can be difficult to decide what to believe  when nappy companies peddle their green credentials. But the bottom line – if you’ll excuse the pun – is that it all comes down to what you put in the bin. Re-use a cloth nappy and that’s one less for the landfill.  It’s that simple. With landfill sites becoming increasingly full in the UK it is no wonder Local authorities are trying hard to reduce the amount of nappies sent to them. Strict recycling and waste reduction targets have been set and it is no wonder they are creating incentives to parents to use washable nappies.  For every pound spent on disposable nappies, councils are spending 10p to dispose of them.

 

Mind you, even if every parent in the country were to change to washables right now, every disposable nappy put into landfill site will already still be there deep under ground.  Some researchers predict that parts of a disposable nappy can take 500 years to degrade!

Choosing the right nappy for your baby (and you)

We offer a wide range of nappies to suit everyone’s needs. However, first time parents can sometimes find all this choice quite confusing. To help you make the right decision, we have outlined some of the questions we are most frequently asked. But if you are still unsure, ring us on 0870 241 7661 and we will be happy to help you find the right products for you and your baby.

 

What exactly will I need?

The basic item you will need is a nappy. We recommend you buy about 18-24 to ensure you have always got a clean supply. For night-time, or babies who are heavy wetters, you can add booster pads for extra absorbency.

 

The nappy requires a separate waterproof wrap. These are elasticated and designed to minimise leaks. Outer wraps do not have to be washed at every nappy change, only when soiled. You will need 4 or 5 wraps for each growth stage.

 

Finally, most parents choose additional one way liners that re inserted in the nappy allowing wetness to pass through away from baby’s skin. These liners collect solids for separate disposal, making washing nappies easier. Liners are available as biodegradable flushaways or re-usable polyester sheets.

 

Do I need to buy everything from the same manufacturer?

No, most nappies and pants can be mixed and matched. In fact when you first try washables we recommend you try different brands. Every baby is unique and it is important that you find the system that is the best fit for your baby and easiest for you to use. Our trial packs let you test different brands before committing to a complete system.

 

How often will I need to change my baby? 

Regardless of whether you are using washables or disposables, young babies need to be changed frequently. A baby’s skin is very immature and is sensitive to prolonged contact with faeces, urine and the ammonia that is produced by urine.

 

If using washable nappies full-time you will need between 18-24 nappies, 4-6 wraps and flushable liners. We suggest you try a few different types before investing in the full amount required. Some parents choose to use washables on a part-time basis, mixing them with disposable nappies. If using part-time you will need 8-10 nappies with 2-3 wraps. 

 

Can I make a difference?

Even if you choose to use one washable nappy per day you will stop 730 nappies from being disposed of in landfill sites. Just think how many dustbins it would take to hold 730 nappies and you can appreciate how much of a difference you are making to the environment. Local councils believe that people who use washable nappies can help them save money on their landfill tax bills – so much so that they are actually passing these savings back to you and offering cash incentives to purchase washable nappies.