Modern cloth nappies – the environmentally friendly choice

Many parents are now choosing to use cloth nappies over disposable ones because they are a safer and a much more environmentally friendly option.

• It is estimated that a single nappy could take up to 500 years to break down … that means that every nappy that has ever been used are still in existence and will be for a long time

• 2.2 million disposable nappies are thrown out in Australia every single day, that is approximately 800 million a year

• One child in disposable nappies full time from birth to toilet training produces about 2 tonnes of landfill waste

• It takes one cup of crude oil to produce the plastics used in one disposable nappy

That is quite the environmental impact our little ones have right from when they are born, simply through the nappies we choose for them.

Most cloth nappies are shaped like a disposable, they do not require pinning and they are certainly a lot less time consuming than old cloth nappies, for starters you do not soak them in harsh chemicals! In fact you do not soak them at all. A study conducted in the UK concluded that using cloth nappies reduces carbon emissions by 40% as compared to using disposables.

Some people do have concerns about the impact of washing nappies on our water supplies however many do not realise that far more water is consumed during the manufacturing phase of disposable nappies than will ever be used to wash modern cloth nappies. Advances in washing machine technology have resulted in washing machines that use significantly less water and take the hard work out of washing cloth nappies. Also there are many water wise strategies you can adopt around your home to counteract any increase in water consumption you may have.

Bamboo is an ideal material for modern cloth nappies and many nappies use this fabulous material. One of the most important reasons bamboo is now widely used is that it has serious eco credentials. The production of bamboo is much kinder to the environment than cotton. Growing cotton requires a significant amount of water and if the cotton is not grown organically then it would have been grown using harmful pesticides for the crop. Bamboo on the other hand is very fast growing crop that regenerates itself once it has been harvested and does not require pesticides. The bamboo plant can tolerate both drought conditions as well as being flooded (very versatile indeed). Another benefit for the environment is that the bamboo plant produces large volumes of oxygen, more than trees! And the panda’s are safe too …. the species of bamboo used to produce material is not the species that panda’s feast upon!

If cloth nappies are not for you but you still want to do your bit for the environment? An Australian company, Eenee has just released the first fully compostable disposable nappy.

For more information on modern cloth nappies and to see some of the gorgeous nappies available visit the following sites:
Oz cloth nappies
Australian nappy network
Alipants

Alternatively if you live in Melbourne then the City of Casey will be holding a cloth nappy expo this Saturday. So if you want to find out more then come along and learn about the benefits of using cloth nappies and see for yourself the many different types there are available on the market. Eco Toys will also be there selling our huge range of baby toys including our handmade wooden baby rattles and organic cotton teethers.

2009 Casey Cloth nappy expo
Including ‘Green Kids’ organic clothing, toys and more!
Saturday 10 October 10 am - 4 pm
Balla Balla Centre
65 Berwick-Cranbourne Rd, Cranbourne

FREE ENTRY!
Cloth nappy stalls
Organic baby and children’s clothing
Giveaways and vouchers
Door prizes
Children’s activities
Make your own cloth nappy workshop and more!

Alipants is a new company supplying modern cloth nappies to the Macedon Ranges and surrounding areas. Our website is currently under development and should be launched within 3 weeks. In the mean time visit Alipants blog or email Alison at ali@alipants.com.au for further information.

Cheers Ali & Melinda