The Environment Agency’s ‘Nappy Impact Report’ which concluded that there was ‘no significant difference in the environmental impact of disposable and re-useable (often termed ‘real’) nappies’ has been rejected by many organisations, including the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) because it is seriously flawed.

Some of the assumptions within the report are based on unsound data which undermines its reliability. A major concern was that the survey interviewed over 2000 users of disposables, but less than 200 real nappy users. As a result, some assumptions e.g. how many cloth nappies a baby uses, were actually based on the answers of only 2 parents!

According to WEN, the relative impact of different nappy systems is clear – Real nappies put parents in control. The only way to reduce the environmental impact when using disposable nappies is to use fewer – and that’s really not a good idea. Flawed as it is, findings in the report show parents can use real nappies and save waste going to landfill without causing more global warming than disposables. Britain throws away nearly 3 billion nappies a year, which is 8 million a day, so many parents are concerned to avoid contributing to this waste mountain. With a sensible washing routine parents can significantly reduce environmental impacts even more:-

Reduce Energy use:
Wash at 60 degrees, Use energy efficient (A rated) washing machine, Line or air dry to avoid using a tumble dryer

Reduce Water use:
Wash large loads, store used nappies dry in a lidded bucket before washing

Avoid unnecessary chemicals:
Don’t use conditioner – it reduces absorbency of nappies, use eco-detergents and natural sanitisers e.g. tea tree oil

Reduce resource use:
Use washable liners, Re-use nappies on a second (or more!) child, use second hand nappies (contact the Salisbury Real Nappy Network for more information on their nappy exchange and second hand nappies for sale).

For more information go to www.wen.org.uk/nappies/resources.htm or www.salisburyrealnappynetwork.com