What's Peoples Views On Disposeable Nappies?

Question

It takes 500 years for used diposeable nappies to decompose!

What's your view on this subject for saving our environment?

Do you just chuck the used nappies away or do you burn them?

Whats your view on them compared against reusable terrt towelling nappies and other reusable nappies and plastic pants??

I dont have children of my own yet but when i do i would be using reusable nappies as they are just as absorbent for holding wee and poo!

Would you be happy washing dirty or wet nappies?

Answer 1

It was a while since my daughter was in nappies (24 years ago) and my then wife and I looked at both sorts. We went for Terry Nappies with inner liners and feel that this was the most economical method. Today we have to address green issues and the case for Terry Nappies is even stronger. If you want to not only save money but save the planet then you MUST go for Terry Nappies!!!!

Answer 2

i found that reusables weren't too good for when baby was brand new so i used pampers new baby range which are designed to absorb wee and liquid poo (ideal for all liquid diets). I really struggled with the disposable nappy scene though - i knew that if the nappies were disposed in my back garden, i would't want them there.

There is a compromise though and that is bio-degradable disposables. There are several ranges but Waitrose and sainsburys both sell the nature boy and girl range whiich is made from 70% biodegradable materials. they are priced on a par with the other ranges now too. They also do wipes and nappy sacks which are biodegradable.

For me, this is the compromise. The problem with normal disposables is that they don't decompose. The problem with reusables is that they use alot of energy in washing and drying.

I'm sticking with biodegradable disposable

Answer 3

I don't understand how anyone could use disposable nappies.

The cost alone should be enough to put people off as cloth nappies are so much cheaper, even if you use a nappy washing service. The environmental cost isn't just the waste but also the means by which they manufacture nappies, not just wasting a lot of the wood they use to make the paper pulp but in the methods of bleaching.

The main problem I see is of course ~ HEALTH ~ disposable nappies prevent aeration to the babies genitals, the chemicals used to bleach the nappies are harmful to health, up until the late 1990's they used chlorine gas bleaching, a by-product of which was dioxin, in the 1980's they tried to use the same super absorbent materials that resulted in many cases of toxic shock syndrome in pads and tampons in nappies, that says something for the morals of the companies that manufacture nappies.
Why anyone would purposefully want to use a product on their babies that not only prevent aeration increasing risk of infections and irritation, but use a product full of heaven knows what chemicals on their baby confuses me no end.

The stupid thing is despite what everyone is doing to promote cloth nappies people are still in the past, for example people still think disposables are more convenient – what because tossing them in a washing machine or in a basket for collection is so much more difficult than throwing them into the bin? Or people think they are an environmental risk in themselves, forgetting waste is only one issue and that the report that implied washing cloth nappies via your home washing machine was totally debunked!

There is no chance in hell I would use disposables on my children, sods to the environment, my children's health is the most important thing in the world.

Answer 4

All my kids were brought up with proper nappies under them, Expensive to buy but last years, All you need is a nappy liner a pin and Bobs your uncle.
But hey washing them means mums have to work Disposable nappies are part of the modern woman.They use False Nails Hair extensions, ready meals fast food microwave. Even use Bis-to Gravy Granules. Frozen Roast Potatoes Frozen Veg And Frozen Puddings.
All this so they can be a modern mum.

If they tried buying and cooking fresh food, it would cost a lot less be far more tasty, and all the family would sit down to meals.
But back to disposable nappies the only people who gain out of them are the people who produce them.
While they are made people will use them for convenience.
and they can dump them in car parks on beaches where ever they are

Answer 5

When I had my first baby disposable nappies where new and very expensive. I opted out for terry nappies with nappy liners. I would like to be able say that I found them great, but it was far too much hard work. I know that our mothers, grandmothers etc have used them, but they most probably were not full-time working mums, like I was. I soon disregarded the the terry's and used disposable. Heaven!!! Sorry about the environment, but I try else where to make my life environmental friendly.

Answer 6

i am ashamed to say i used disposable on all my babies buti f i had another i would seriously consider the reusable ones , they are available at mothercare , toys r us etc ..... i was shocked when it was said disposables take years to decompose .. disposables work out expensive but are very convenient depending on your lifestyle , they are handy if your child is at daycare etc but at home mums would maybe find reusable alot cheaper in the long run and assuming they can fit ina boil wash every couple of days ... you can buy liners for reusable nappies so theyre only ever wet/damp when used as the liners with the poop can be disposed off ...

Answer 7

I used washable terry nappies many years ago with my first child - at that time disposables were in their infancy and leaked +++.
By the time number 2 came along they had improved, and I was also working more (and had 2 children) so i used disposables.
Although disposable nappies take ages to biodegrade, there is environmental damage involved in the use of terry napppies too:
i) bleach used to soak and sterilise leaking into the environment
ii) energy in washing and drying

Answer 8

I'm going to use disposables with my first baby who's due in December.

I'm going to be waaay too tired and stressed with a new baby to worry about piles of dirty nappies and nothing clean to put on the baby, and not being able to dry them as we have no tumble dryer and can't afford to buy one - you Green Types can buy me one if you like. Although thats probably a "waste of energy" too and "harms the planet".

I love the way you don't have children of your own!! I presume that when you do you will have drying facilities and lots of help?? Good for you. Us mere mortals have to make do.

I'm sure the planet can cope with some shitty nappies. Its coped with worse.

And no I don't eat organic veg and I drive a car as well. Shoot me.

Answer 9

When my daughter was born, I was determined to use reuseable nappies and I did for quite some time. The washing etc was a hassle, but to be frank, I didn't really mind. But then my daughter developed chronic thursh and I had to put her into disposable ones (because they kept her drier). I thought it was a temporary measure but when I went to put her back into the reuseables she was really unhappy - probably because she had got used to being dry.

I would recommend re-useables to anyone. Although I now use disaposables, I do try and use environmentally friendly ones (Moltex Eco) which are nowhere near as bad as the standard disposables.

Answer 10

Sorry, I think that re-usables are just as bad for the environment as disposables because of the extra energy and chemicals you have to use to clean them.
And I wouldn't be happy with washing the reusable things- disposables for my daughter, thank you very much!