Proof at last, cloth nappies are better for the environment

[~Saram~]

At last the update to the lifecycle research into what's better cloth vrs disposable! Have a read of the media release from The Nappy Network. Mods hope this is OK here, please let me know if it has to go to the news section? I can never work out where to put things

Media Release
For immediate release

British report reveals reusable nappies offer substantial enviro benefits.

The Environment Agency, UK, has revealed that using reusable nappies, as opposed to disposable ones, can save families, carers and the environment 40% in carbon emissions.

The 'Updated Lifecycle Assessment Study for Disposable and Reusable Nappies', published on Friday in the UK, was the largest and most comprehensive study of its type ever to be undertaken examining the environmental impacts of the two nappy systems.

Lucy Westerman, Director of the Australian Nappy Network is delighted with the findings, saying that, "This report represents a dramatic step forward in propelling community education, amongst parents and carers, and confirms exactly what we have known for many years - that reusable nappies really are much better for the environment than disposables."

The quantity of disposable nappies currently being sent to landfill, in Australia alone, is reaching dramatic proportions. Recent research shows that Australians are throwing away one billion disposable nappies every single year, with each of these taking up to 300 years to fully decomposei.

"The environmental impact of disposable nappies in Australia is immense," explains Ms Westerman. "Coupled with the landfill issue you also have to consider the impact of the materials, chemicals and resources that go into the manufacturing and packaging of disposables."

"The Report demonstrates that by simply washing reusable nappies in full loads, using an energy efficient washing machine, set under 60? Celsius, line-drying them and reusing them on other children provides over 40% reduction in carbon emissions, compared to the use of disposables."

"In Australia, obviously we have to be very conscious of using our water efficiently but we have the significant benefit of the climate, which enables most Australians to air-dry throughout the year," she continued.

Today's reusable nappies bridge the gap between the cloth of by gone eras and disposables. Reusables are increasingly produced with minimal impact from highly absorbent sustainable eco-friendly fabrics such as organic cotton, bamboo and hemp. Such fabrics are incredibly effective and soft for your baby to wear with the added convenience of being quick-drying, fitted like disposables or flat, with velcro, snappis or press-stud fasteners and no longer requiring soaking.

"Typically a baby will get through between 4000 and 6000 nappy changes before it is toilet trained, so when you consider the impact of this on the environment and the cost effectiveness of using reusables, it's a win-win situation, not only for the environment but for your pocket too."
"If you then go on to reuse these nappies on another child you create even greater savings and by adopting reusable nappies means that parents and carers are in control of the impact they have on the environment," concludes Ms Westerman.




NOTES TO EDITORS
The Australian Nappy Network (ANN) is a non-profit organisation promoting the health, environmental and financial advantages of reusable nappies - more details can be found at Australian Nappy Network Ltd. The ANN also organises the annual community education initiative Reusable Nappy Week, Reusable Nappy Week.

An Updated Lifecycle Assessment Study for Disposable and Reusable Nappies Environment Agency, 17/10/2008, is an addendum to the Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies in the UK, 2005, is published by the Environment Agency 17 October 2008 and is available to view in full on Environment Agency - Home page

[Shanti]

Exactly why we'll be using cloth....... sposies are so bad!!!!! 300yrs to decompose

At last the update to the lifecycle research into what's better cloth vrs disposable! Have a read of the media release from The Nappy Network. Mods hope this is OK here, please let me know if it has to go to the news section? I can never work out where to put things

Media Release
For immediate release

British report reveals reusable nappies offer substantial enviro benefits.

The quantity of disposable nappies currently being sent to landfill, in Australia alone, is reaching dramatic proportions. Recent research shows that Australians are throwing away one billion disposable nappies every single year, with each of these taking up to 300 years to fully decomposei.

NOTES TO EDITORS
The Australian Nappy Network (ANN) is a non-profit organisation promoting the health, environmental and financial advantages of reusable nappies - more details can be found at Australian Nappy Network Ltd. The ANN also organises the annual community education initiative Reusable Nappy Week, Reusable Nappy Week.

An Updated Lifecycle Assessment Study for Disposable and Reusable Nappies Environment Agency, 17/10/2008, is an addendum to the Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies in the UK, 2005, is published by the Environment Agency 17 October 2008 and is available to view in full on Environment Agency - Home page

[Karina]

This is what I tried to tell MIL but she didnt believe me! She is still stuck with terry squares in her mind as the ONLY type of cloth nappy. She even tried to discourage me from using cloth by telling me cloth is WORSE than sposies for the environment! I just said 'oh ok, i dont agree but anyway' and ignored her.

I'd love to see cloth nappies more widely encouraged to new mothers - but its not helpful when Huggies are all the rage. I knew nothing of MCN until I saw lots of lovely ladies on BB talking about them. I'm so glad we changed over to cloth.

We used sposies for the first few months after Claire was born and she would go through plenty of nappies each day - sometimes up to 15! I cant believe how quickly the bin filled up, and imagine all the famlies who use only sposies.. how many bins full of nappies there would be!

[maz]

maye we sound let the kind people at sunrise know about this seeing that Koch said that there was no difference with all the chemicals used to clean cloth nappies

[Kitt3n]

maye we sound let the kind people at sunrise know about this seeing that Koch said that there was no difference with all the chemicals used to clean cloth nappies

lol, WTF would koch know about cloth nappies? most of the stuff that comes out of his mouth is...... umnnn.... no no, I will keep that thought to myself

But seriously, if such a comment was made certainly info needs to be passed on!

[Karina]

Ummm who uses nasty chemicals to clean their cloth nappies? Its not like we bleach them to white perfection or anything..
I just use washing powder, and yeah its got chemicals in it, but the one I use is grey water safe so it cant be that bad.

[maz]

No point of passing the facts onto Koch...his side bags..i mean side kicks on the show are as narrow minded as the nose on his face.

Karina - Ive just started washing them in clear water and its doing my kids bums the world of good. Not that Vy is in day time nappies anymore but **** the sensitivity issues in this house!!

[christy]

I've been using 1 tbsp of bicarb soda to wash my nappies in! Thats it.

[mountain mummy]

I cant believe how quickly the bin filled up, and imagine all the famlies who use only sposies.. how many bins full of nappies there would be!

I can tell you, with two in nappies, 3 bins full per week ... we are currently transitioning to cloth (and I am still testing the water so to speak!! ) but I seriously wish I had known how much cloth nappies had changed - I have spent nearly 8 years buying sposies!!! NON STOP!!

lol, WTF would koch know about cloth nappies? most of the stuff that comes out of his mouth is...... umnnn.... no no, I will keep that thought to myself

yeah, most of the stuff that comes out of his mouth belongs in a nappy!! LOL

I wash our current stash in with the rest of my washing - in a water efficient machine, and we have to use biodegradable detergent cause we are on bio septic systems ...

Maz - that's sad about the chicks on the show, cause they are mums too!!

[Karina]

I've been using 1 tbsp of bicarb soda to wash my nappies in! Thats it.

Really?? Does it work well to get the nasty poo stains out? Claire does some horrid ones, lol, and on a few occasions I've had to re-wash! (or maybe its just because of DH's lack of scraping-poo-off-nappy-into-toilet ability).

[Kitt3n]

Really?? Does it work well to get the nasty poo stains out? Claire does some horrid ones, lol, and on a few occasions I've had to re-wash! (or maybe its just because of DH's lack of scraping-poo-off-nappy-into-toilet ability).

Yes please answer this, i wanna know too!!!