The vast majority of nappies today are disposable, and that means they end up in either landfill or are incinerated. Even if the latter involves waste to energy, neither option is ideal as both pollute the environment. The first nappies produced were reusable, but in the name of convenience, parents tend to nowadays go for the throwaway kind. Yet reusable nappies are starting to make a comeback due to both environmental and economic concerns.
LittleLamb‘s washable nappies come with a bucket, mesh laundry bag and other accessories, depending on which package you go for (the ‘kits’ are Standard, Premium and Economy). The company points out that reusing nappies will save consumers a lot of money, due to the vast reduction in purchases necessary, as well as the environmental benefit: reusable nappies use 3.5 times less energy, eight times less non-renewable materials and 90 times less renewable resources than disposables, it says. What’s more, the excess material from its production process is recycled – used, for example, by soft toy makers.
TotsBots, meanwhile, has won awards for its reusable nappies. It estimates that using cloth nappies costs an average of 0.03p per change, compared with 8.7p for disposables. It also highlights the myth that cloth nappies must be boil washed, stating that 60 degrees is sufficient, and cites a UK Environment Agency report which calculated that reusable nappies have a 40% smaller carbon footprint than disposables. The company also supplies organic muslins, and reusable face masks made with polyester derived from recycled plastic bottles.
And Bambino Mio‘s reusable nappies are also award-winning. They have poppers to adjust the size and come in a wide range of designs, with hook and loop fastenings to create a snug fit for each individual child. They come in one size, and the aforementioned adjustments means they will last from birth to potty training – not bad for £15.99. The inner lining of the nappy can be easily removed for cleaning, and this also speeds up drying time. These nappies do contain polyester, but their ‘lifelong’ reusability means they are still much more eco-friendly than disposables.
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The vast majority of nappies today are disposable, and that means they end up in either landfill or are incinerated. Even if the latter involves waste to energy, neither option is ideal as both pollute the environment. The first nappies produced were reusable, but in the name of convenience, parents tend to nowadays go for the throwaway kind. Yet reusable nappies are starting to make a comeback due to both environmental and economic concerns.
LittleLamb‘s washable nappies come with a bucket, mesh laundry bag and other accessories, depending on which package you go for (the ‘kits’ are Standard, Premium and Economy). The company points out that reusing nappies will save consumers a lot of money, due to the vast reduction in purchases necessary, as well as the environmental benefit: reusable nappies use 3.5 times less energy, eight times less non-renewable materials and 90 times less renewable resources than disposables, it says. What’s more, the excess material from its production process is recycled – used, for example, by soft toy makers.
TotsBots, meanwhile, has won awards for its reusable nappies. It estimates that using cloth nappies costs an average of 0.03p per change, compared with 8.7p for disposables. It also highlights the myth that cloth nappies must be boil washed, stating that 60 degrees is sufficient, and cites a UK Environment Agency report which calculated that reusable nappies have a 40% smaller carbon footprint than disposables. The company also supplies organic muslins, and reusable face masks made with polyester derived from recycled plastic bottles.
And Bambino Mio‘s reusable nappies are also award-winning. They have poppers to adjust the size and come in a wide range of designs, with hook and loop fastenings to create a snug fit for each individual child. They come in one size, and the aforementioned adjustments means they will last from birth to potty training – not bad for £15.99. The inner lining of the nappy can be easily removed for cleaning, and this also speeds up drying time. These nappies do contain polyester, but their ‘lifelong’ reusability means they are still much more eco-friendly than disposables.