Biodegradable or ‘eco-friendly’ disposable nappies may seem like the perfect answer for the environmentally conscious mother who is too busy to wash cloth nappies. They keep baby nice and dry with their super-absorbent gel core, and for that reason need to be changed less often than cloth nappies. They are handier to carry when out and about as they are a single unit. Unlike cloth nappies, there is no need to worry about boosters, liners or nappy wraps. When the nappy has been used you can simply throw it away, knowing that it will biodegrade and won’t be sitting in a landfill site for a few hundred years. Although biodegradable nappies may seem like an environmentally friendly option there are still issues to be considered, such as the carbon emissions produced during the manufacturing process. Biodegradable nappies take as much water and energy to produce as traditional disposable nappies. Carbon emissions are produced in the manufacture of cloth nappies too, but the fact that you can re-use cloth nappies means these emissions are less, per wear of the nappy. If you buy second-hand cloth nappies, or borrow them then you avoid these carbon emissions altogether. The manufacturers of biodegradable nappies claim that their nappies will biodegrade in about six to eight months. Most of these nappies are not completely biodegradable though. Almost all brands of biodegradable nappy contain super-absorbent gel (sodium polyacrylate) which does not biodegrade. Some of them also use plastic in the nappy fastenings, and this does not biodegrade either. Even if the biodegradable nappies were completely biodegradable, it would be very difficult for them to biodegrade in a landfill site as there is not enough air flow. This makes biodegradable nappies no better than traditional disposable nappies, unless you decide to compost them yourself. When you buy a pack of biodegradable nappies, it’s not just the environmental impact of the nappies themselves that you need to consider. Each pack you buy is wrapped in a layer of plastic which is usually not biodegradable or recyclable. Cloth nappies don’t come completely guilt free from an environmental perspective though. As mentioned, carbon emissions are produced in the manufacturing process. When you buy your cloth nappies they sometimes arrive in non-recyclable packaging. Then there is the energy and water used during the washing process to consider. You can make the use of cloth nappies more environmentally friendly by buying second-hand nappies, or borrowing nappies from someone. That way you won’t be creating more demand for new cloth nappies to be manufactured and so will be reducing carbon emissions. If you really have to buy new nappies then buy organic nappies (preferably made with fairly-traded material). You will avoid the chemicals used in the growing of non-organic crops, which is better for your baby and better for the environment. Wash your nappies at lower temperatures. If the nappies are simply wet and not dirty, then all they need is a cold wash with a minimal amount of washing powder. If the nappies are dirty then you should wash them at 60 degrees Celsius to kill any bacteria. Wait until you have a full load of dirty nappies to wash together. You can soak them in a bucket with a tightly fitting lid until you have enough for a full load. Use an eco-friendly washing powder, which is less harmful to aquatic life. Some washing powders are tested on animals and also contain nasty chemicals which are bad for the environment. Most supermarkets now stock eco-friendly washing powders and some even have their own brand of eco-friendly washing powder. Don’t use fabric conditioner. It is just more unnecessary chemicals and packaging and will reduce the absorbency of your cloth nappies anyway. If you think your cloth nappies could do with softening up then use vinegar in the wash instead. Hang your nappies outside to dry instead of using a tumble dryer. This reduces the amount of energy used in the drying process. An added benefit of drying outside is that sunshine removes any stains that might still be on your nappies after washing them. Sell or give your nappies to someone else when you have finished with them. If cloth nappies that are already in existence are used for several babies, it will create less demand for new cloth nappies to be manufactured. Fewer cloth nappies being manufactured mean fewer carbon emissions and less packaging. Of course the most environmentally friendly thing to do would be to toilet train your baby early, or use elimination communication. This is where mothers learn to read their babies signals as to when they need to urinate, or pass a bowel movement. They either hold their baby over the toilet, or over a bowl. Some mothers claim to have eliminated the need for nappies completely by using this method. Category:Home › Other • Pomegranates: A newly discovered superfood • Where did the joke why did the chicken cross the road come from and why is it funny? • Can mothers diagnosed with bipolar disorder make good parents? • Spiritual evolution of human consciousness • Tips for getting a college basketball scholarship • Living with Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) • Caring for the caregiver • Technologys impact on society
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