Aust Conserv

Nappies make up around 1% of urban landfill waste. Nappies are about 3% by weight of all domestic wastes landfilled, and domestic wastes are only about 34% of all urban solid wastes going to landfill. (By comparison, food and garden waste accounts for over 58% of our total domestic waste.)

Source: Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery in NSW – A Progress Report, NSW DEC Aug 2004

Landfill sites are engineered to be stable and low in moisture. In Australia, landfills are so dry and compact they tend to preserve the contents. As a result, nothing much breaks down in landfills – even newspapers, which are 100% degradable, remain intact and legible for decades. This means a biodegradable nappy in landfill is normally not given the chance to biodegrade.

There are many ways to help reduce the amount of nappies that go to the landfills and help the environment.

 

Disposable Nappies vs Reusable Nappies

There are a few pros and cons when it comes to using reusable or bio degradable nappies. Obviously disposable nappies are the worst when it comes to reducing waste but they are also the most convinient to use and easy to dispose of. Reusable nappies on the other hand don't go to landfills at all but contribute to energy waste that is used to clean the nappies. Cloth nappies use more water and detergent to have them cleaned.

Reusable and bio degradable nappies

Thankfully there are many products out on the market now that consumers have to choose from to help reduce landfill waste. Reusable nappies and bio degradable nappy liners are a great combination to taking care of your little ones waste. The reusable nappies can simply be washed and reused and the nappy liners can be disposed of as waste in an environmentally friendly way. Disposing only the liners and the waste greatly decreases the amount of domestic waste that is being sent to our landfills.

There are other measures that have to be taken, such as washing the reusable nappies in an environmentally friendly way using eco friendly detergents that are safe for your baby and for the environment. Steps should also be take to make sure that the water from the washing machines is recycled and reused as grey water for your gardens.

Where to Buy

 

These reuable nappies and biodegradeable nappy liners can both be purchased through Green Leap's online eco store. All products are fully 100% environmentally friendly sourced from environmentally friendly producers.

 

Further Reading

• About Green Leap
• Disposable Nappy Recycling in Australia
  
• Huggies and the Environment
  
• Snugglers and the Environment
  
• Sydney Morning Herald - Turning Nappies in to Compost
  
• Kimberly Clarke Australia - Nappies and Landfill
  
• Buy Organic

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