There’s been lots in the media about baby wipes washing up on beaches, and disposable nappies filling up landfill sites at a rate of three billion a year. It’s enough to make you say yikes. If our children and grandchildren are going to inherit the earth one day, what kind of gift are we leaving, and what can we do to ensure it’s worth having?
Nappy changing has evolved over the decades, giving parents plenty more eco-choices. Here we look at just a few.
Nappies
Did you know the average baby will get through over 5,500 nappies in its lifetime? … Now, that’s a lot of changes. Add in the fact that every non-bio nappy takes around 400 years to biodegrade, and, well you do the maths, the answer isn’t pretty. But what’s the alternative?
There are plenty of nappy choices for the environmentally conscious parent. Naty by Nature nappies are made from natural and compostable materials, are chlorine and perfume free and certified by the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association. They also received a coveted Mumsnet Best Award in 2014, so they’re a popular choice for parents.
Beaming Baby is certified organic by the non-food section of the Organic Food Federation and approved by the Vegan Society. Its nappies are also hypoallergenic. Most of a Beaming Baby nappy takes just four years to bio-degrade (meaning there’ll be gone long before you).
Bamboo Nature nappies are between 70-80% bio-degradable, Bamboo Nature has also been awarded the Nordic Swan Eco Label, which guarantees its products have less impact on the environment than conventional nappies.
Washable cloth nappies are another good option for parents – if you go that route, try Bio-D’s Nappy Fresh for superior eco-cleaning.
Wipes & cotton wool
Where there are nappies there are wipes and again, there are lots of eco-choices. Try to choose wipes that are 100% bio-degradable – you’re only going to throw them away after all!
Natracare Organic Cotton Baby Wipes are infused with apricot and chamomile (they smell great), Beaming Baby Organic Baby Wipes are hypoallergenic, and Earth Friendly Aloe Vera Wet Wipes are gentle on delicate skin. Naty by Nature do a large range of bio-degradable wipes, including travel-size packs for when you’re out and about.
For those who prefer cotton wool (recommended for newborns), try Simply Gentle – the range is 100% organic and certified by the Soil Association.
Oh, and no matter what the pack says, aim to bin wipes and cotton wool rather than flush. While many products can be flushed, water companies aren’t keen because they can block your drains, or reach a beach, before they’ve had a chance to bio-degrade properly (not a pleasant thought).
Nappy sacks
Finally nappy sacks – there’s no point doing all that good work and then putting your nappy and wipes in a bag that’ll take hundreds of years to disappear. Check out these biodegradable nappy bags instead.