Reusable Nappy Week

Reusable Nappy Week is on from the 12th to the 18th of October. This national event has been running now for four years and is aimed at increasing awareness of reusable nappy options.  During this week various displays, information sessions, gatherings and activities are being held in cities all over Australia to give parents the chance to see a large selection of modern variations on reusable nappies and to talk to parents who use cloth on their children. To find out what is on in your area visit http://www.reusablenappyweek.com.au/events.htm .

Research has shown that using cloth nappies is seven times better for the environment and can save two tonnes of landfill per baby*. Nappies take centuries to decompose and research has also shown that cloth nappies are better for baby and the washing/hanging out/putting away nappies for a baby in cloth full time takes 7 minutes a day – less time than it takes to go to the store and return home with a box of disposable nappies.

In the UK there has been considerable support for the use of reusable nappies with some councils providing cash incentives to encourage parents to switch. Significant research has been conducted by the UK’s Environment Agency on the comparative impacts of cloth versus disposable nappies.

Figures (from www.reusablenappyweek.com.au website)

• 1.375 Billion disposable nappies used annually in Australia and New Zealand¹.
• 3.75 Million disposable nappies dumped every single day in these 2 nations alone¹.
• 3 Million trees felled every year to make disposable nappies for Australia / New Zealand¹.
• 100 intestinal viruses leach from untreated human waste at rubbish dumps, contaminating ground water at land fill and creating risks to sanitation workers.
• 50% of total household waste will be disposable nappies, in a household with 1 baby using disposable nappies full time¹.
• 7 times better for the environment, reusable nappies compared to one use nappies³.
• 2 Tonnes of landfill created by each baby in disposable nappies full time¹.
• 1 degree hotter the average temperature of a boy’s testicles in a disposable nappy – possibly related to increases in infertility and testicular cancer of the last 25 years².

1. Zero Waste New Zealand website.
2. BMA Press Office
3. Milieu Centraal in Utrecht, Holland, 2007

* from http://www.reusablenappyweek.com.au/default.htm

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