Feature

Nappy waste: the bottom line

Jade Reynolds examines the case for replacing disposables with washables

Local authorities spend £40m each year collecting and disposing of 800,000 tonnes of disposable nappy waste. This is not sustainable: it is expensive, wasteful of our natural resources, and disposing of nappies in landfills or incinerators presents potential health hazards to sanitation workers and local people. Yet there are simple alternatives.

Currently around 84 per cent of nappy changes involve disposables. Preventing Nappy Waste, a report by the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN), reviews methods of reducing nappy waste and argues that nappy services and the use of washable nappies need to become the norm in our homes and our hospitals rather than the exception.

Nappy washing services for maternity and paediatric wards could save money spent on incinerating nappies. Costs of incinerating hospital waste vary — £360 per tonne has been quoted. Although hospitals are investigating better segregation as a means of reducing costs, nappy services can provide parents and hospitals with laundered reusables and collect soiled ones for about the same price as purchasing disposables. A nappy service with 500 customers would save up to £10,000 in annual waste charges for the average London borough.

About 25 per cent of nappy waste is plastic and paper, with the other 75 per cent urine and faeces. Some parts of the plastic last indefinitely. Various forms of recycling disposables have led to operational problems and were not environmentally sound. Water and sewage companies have opposed efforts to develop biodegradable nappies. Reusable nappies use 3.5 times less energy, 8 times less non-regenerable material and 90 times less renewable material than disposables. They produce 60 times less solid waste and require a quarter of the land for growing the natural materials used in nappy production.

In January 1996, Leicester Royal Infirmary (LRI) initiated a three-month pilot reusable nappy project. Leicestershire county council (LCC) was sanctioned to promote waste reduction as a Waste Regulation Authority and, therefore, granted funding. The project involved a local nappy service (Biobabies), the local authority and hospital staff. LCC provided £1,700 for nappy starter packs, £1,260 to LRI for the laundry service and extra nappy supplies, and £500 for educational leaflets. Biobabies provided nappy packs and organised informational seminars and hands-on experience for parents and midwives. LRI promoted and managed the scheme.

The council estimated that annually 50 million disposable nappies (or 12,500 tonnes of waste) is sent to landfill in the county, at a cost of around £100,000. In less than three months since full implementation, 25 per cent of babies on the LRI maternity ward use cotton nappies. If every hospital achieved this minimal take-up rate, it would lead to substantial cost savings both for the NHS and local authorities.

The decision over which nappies to use is made early in pregnancy. Hospitals and health professionals have a crucial influence on parents’ decisions about nappies. The Real Nappy Association has information packs geared toward health professionals, giving details of reusable nappies, washing instructions and contacts for nappy washing services. These introduction packs costs £5 and could be an easy and effective way to approach nurses and midwives.

The Leicester pilot project proved that particular health professionals support the idea of reusable nappies. A major barrier is the lack of awareness of alternatives within the medical community and among the public at large. Clear hospital policies combined with balanced information would enable professionals and consumers to make informed decisions.

Prevention is the best option for dealing with nappy waste, which makes up approximately 4 per cent of household waste. Modern reusable nappies are as easy to use as disposables. A partnership between local authorities, hospitals and business could achieve WEN’s proposed target of 50 percent reduction in this costly waste. Some areas of Canada have already surpassed this goal, with 70 per cent of babies in reusables.

The lines that once separated economic, public health and environmental concerns are fast becoming blurred. If public authorities, like the NHS and local councils, were to promote the move back to reusable nappies, they would be acting not only in the interest of health and sustainable development, but saving money at the same time.

The Women’s Environmental Network is a non-profit organisation which encourages positive lifestyle choices for a more sustainable world. WEN, 87 Worship Street, London EC2A 4BE Tel: 0171-247 3347.