It’s Plastic Free July! A month dedicated to reducing our reliance on single-use plastics by embracing reusable alternatives that become habits for life. As we work towards a more sustainable lifestyle, one area that is frequently overlooked is the choice of nappies for our little ones.
Every day in the UK, nearly 10 million single-use nappies are thrown away. That’s 3.6 billion every year, costing Local Authorities a whopping £140 million a year in collection and disposal costs[1]. This staggering amount of waste creates significant environmental challenges. When these nappies are disposed of in household waste, they are either incinerated, contributing to climate and local air pollution, or sent to landfill where they can take more than 300 years to biodegrade, releasing methane into the atmosphere. Disposable nappies and wipes can also pose a significant threat to our environment, with the sight of disposable nappies and wipes littering beaches is all too common (Bambino Mio, Oct 2023).
In contrast, using reusable nappies creates 99% less waste and uses 98% fewer resources compared to single-use nappies. By choosing reusable options, you can reduce your environmental footprint and contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable future. That’s why we’re passionate about reusable nappies as a practical and environmental choice.
- Environmental Savings – Not only will you reduce your reliance on single-use plastic (equivalent to saving at least 64 supermarket plastic bags per week[2]), but according to the Nappy Life Cycle Analysis by Defra (March 2023), reusable nappies trump single-use nappies for the Environment. They have 25% lower carbon footprint across their lifecycle. If every baby in the UK used reusable nappies, we’d save the equivalent of 700 million car miles in carbon emissions.
- Cost Effective – While the initial cost of investing in reusable nappies may seem higher than buying disposables, it’s important to consider the long-term savings. On average using reusable nappies can save you around £195 per year! Even more if you used the same nappies on subsequent children. When buying nappies, financial options are available such as product discounts throughout the year, 0% interest monthly payment plans, or reusable nappy incentive schemes (like ours) to help with your purchase. You may even like to pick up good quality second-hand nappies at low-to-no cost.
- Comfort and Performance – Modern reusable nappies have come a long way. They feature innovative designs, soft natural, breathable materials, and provide an adjustable fit that gives comfort and flexibility for babies of all sizes. Whether you prefer all-in-one nappies, pocket nappies, two-part nappies, there are options to suit every family’s needs and preferences.
- Potty Training – Reusable nappies also come with a bonus: the fabric soaks and holds the fluids helping your baby make the connection between urinating and feeling some wetness. This gives your baby the sensation to experiment with holding and releasing their bladders, making potty training that bit easier! If the majority of parents used reusable nappies and potty trained their babies between 18 months and 2 years, as used to be the norm, this would reduce the adverse environmental impacts of nappying by well over 90% (The Nappy Alliance, Oct 2023).
Getting Started
If you’re new to reusable nappies, Plastic Free July is the perfect time to give them a try. Our website provides essential information to help you understand what reusable nappies are and how to care for them. We host in-person and online reusable nappy information sessions to give you the opportunity to see for yourself what they’re like before buying, as well as the extra confidence to give it a go. Plus, if you live in one our voucher participating London Boroughs, we can help you with the financial upfront cost to getting started.
If you are an expectant parent, parent or foster carer with a baby under 18 months, or under the age of 5 years old with a disability requiring the use of nappies, and if you live in one of our voucher-participating London Boroughs: Barnet, Bexley, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Kingston, Waltham Forest of the City of Westminster, you can apply for a nappy voucher worth up to £70. Your voucher can help you with the upfront cost of buying reusable nappies or put towards a trial-paid for nappy laundry service.
To find out more and to apply, visit: https://www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk/apply/
Make a lasting impact this Plastic Free July by choosing reusable nappies. Even using just one reusable nappy can significantly reduce single-use plastic waste and save you money. Join us in taking small steps that make a big difference!
Alice Walker, July 2024
#PlasticFreeJuly #RealNappiesForLondon #RealLifeReusables #NappyVoucher
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References:
[1] UK Parliament: Written evidence submitted by Nappy Alliance (PW0026), September 2021
[2] Calculation: An average 29.12 disposable nappies used per week, weighing 350.87g of plastic. Average weight of a single-use supermarket plastic bag is 5.5g. 350.87 / 5.5 = 63.79 (64 plastic bags rounded up).