Changing nappies
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Changing nappies |
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Changing nappies changes what goes into Welsh landfill sites
Some have even chosen to compost nappies in their own back gardens! ecodyfi released interim results from its 'real nappy trial' this week. Key positive feedback from participants included the fact that the real nappies were far more cost effective than disposables. There was also a feel good factor from knowing less waste is going to landfill. This had the knock on effect of families considering other ways to reduce waste at home and work. Probably one of the most important things was that the babies seemed really happy in their new nappies. 5 out of 6 families would definitely use these again rather than disposables. The lifespan of washable nappies was illustrated in this comment from Paul McCue, one of ecodyfi's volunteer parents in the trial. "Even if you don't plan on having another child, you can pass real nappies on to a friend. "One of the nicest things that happened was when my wife's aunt gave us several nappies (Terries squares) that she had used on her daughter who is now 48!" The Environment Agency (EA) recently released a report claiming that there is very little difference in the overall environmental impact of using washable and disposable nappies. Sustainable Wales and Women's Environmental Network (WEN) are very critical of the report. WEN hit back saying that the long and expensive EA study is seriously flawed. Data used for key assumptions is unsatisfactory in many instances as a relatively small number of real nappy users were studied. WEN claims that the reusable system has enormous potential for improvement in environmental performance, and gave the following advice: "Use an A rated washing machine. Wash soiled nappies at 60 "Wash wet nappies at lower temperatures along with the rest of your laundry. "Don't tumble dry - air dry. "Extend the life of your nappies - reuse them on another baby, or give/sell them to someone else. "Use ecological detergents. Use washable wraps." ecodyfi says it will continue to promote real nappies via talks and displays locally. They have used some of their Environment Wales funding from the National Assembly to support a local mum who is composting "biodegradable" nappies. Louise Halestrap of Tre'rddôl wants to see whether it really is possible to compost these nappies at home. Tom O'Kane of ecodyfi said "We will be relying on our real nappy enthusiasts to continue spreading the word". The trial report will be released this autumn on this web site. Further information
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13/6/2005
Dyfi
Valley mums and dads have been changing washable nappies in order to change what goes into Welsh landfill
sites, despite recent doubts raised by the Environment Agency.