Reuse? Compost? Dump? Solving the eco-conundrum of nappies

#DisposableDiapers are one of the biggest factors in #plastic waste. Efforts to address the problem are popping up all over the world

by Laura Paddison
Sat 20 Nov 2021

"Other efforts focus on increasing uptake of reusable nappies. These create less landfill waste but their environmental credentials are not always clear cut. Many are made out of cotton, a thirsty crop often grown with a lot of pesticides. They also require laundering, which can be water- and energy-intensive. Reusables’ footprint depends on how they are used, according to 2008 UK government analysis, which found that line-drying, washing in full loads and using them for subsequent children would make reusables a better environmental choice than disposables."

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/20/disposable-nappies-plastic-waste-diapers

#Microplastics #Diapers #Nappies #Pollution #WaterIsLife #Ecosystems #Pathogens #Consumerism #BasicIncome #Laundry

"Five thousand: that’s the number of nappy changes the average child will need. There are several nappy choices available to parents, but disposable nappies make up a large portion of the market – and there’s a fair amount of chemistry behind how they keep a baby dry."

https://www.compoundchem.com/2020/01/14/nappies/

#Chemistry #Diapers #DisposableDiapers #Infographics