Reusable and Environmentally Friendly Nappies

Conventional disposable nappies are cheap and convenient, but have a very high environmental impact and can contain nasty toxins. There are much better options available. Explore our range of sustainable, affordable nappy options that will keep you and your baby happy.

What is wrong with ‘normal’ nappies?

Unfortunately, the supermarket disposable nappies that society has become so used to have a heavy toll on the environment and even your family’s health. From how they are manufactured to what happens when they are thrown in the bin (the story doesn’t end there!), they consume a lot of resources, and turn what should be biodegradable waste into a long-term landfill problem.
Disposable nappies have a massive environmental impact during manufacturing.

  • The raw materials are a cocktail of hazardous chemicals (like dioxins and phthalates) combined with heavily processed natural materials such as cotton and wood pulp.
  • It takes around 1 cup of crude oil to make the plastic in one disposable nappy.
  • Huge amounts of water and mostly non-renewable energy are used to process the raw materials into the finished product.
  • The average disposable nappy can be rather nasty even while it’s being used (and we’re not talking about the contents when you change it).
  • A baby’s body and immune system is still developing, making them very sensitive to environmental pollutants and toxins.
  • Potentially damaging chemicals used for bleaching, plastic production, absorbency, waterproofing and printing all remain in the final nappy.
  • These chemicals are being held close to your baby’s skin for almost 24 hours a day for years.
  • Nappy disposal is also a major issue.
  • The average child will go through 5,000-10,000 nappies before they are toilet trained, that is several tonnes of waste going into landfill.
  • Over 2 billion disposable nappies end up in Australian landfills every year.
  • With no access to light and air in landfill for nappies to break down properly, they can last for up to 500 years or more!
  • To put this in perspective, if King Henry VIII had used modern disposable nappies as a child, they’d still be there, just sitting in landfill.

Modern cloth nappies from Bare and Boho 

Bare and Boho are leaders in the cloth nappy market. Choosing cloth nappies spreads the resources used to manufacture them across thousands of uses not just a single use! With bright fresh outer shells, secure liners and a range of boosters Bare and Boho have got it covered, literally. When washed in an energy and water efficient washing machine cloth nappies make a smart choice both financially and environmentally. Bare and Boho have multi-fit-options from new-born to toddlers. 

Fully compostable disposables from Eenees

Eenees, designed in Tasmania, are the only nappy certified by Compost Australia for use in commercial hot composting facilities. 

Unfortunately our compostable nappy collector is not longer able to take them. We are still looking for a new provider of compostable nappy collection services. Eenees are still the best choice for disposable nappies as they will break down the fastest and most completely in landfill.

Eenees are an absorbent pad that is held in place by a gripper belt or secured in a Eenee pull-up nappy pant. The velcro-type attachments on other biodegradable nappies are thick and harder to compost, despite being made of bio-plastics.

Eenees can also be used for incontinence pads and other absorbent uses as they are shaped not fitted, a great way to further reduce landfill waste.

 

Biodegradable disposables from Ecoriginals

Ecoriginals have done years of research and development and now boast the "Greenest nappies and wipes on earth." These nappies are made from plant based products and are 90% biodegradable.  They have 2 outer components that are not made from plants - sticky tabs and leg elastic (can be cut out and discarded separately after use if needed).
Biodegradable nappies are just as easy to use as the mainstream options, but are a better choice for your child in both the present and the future.
Ecoriginals are designed with biodegradeable, non-toxic linings that allow the nappies to quickly break down in landfill - unlike conventional disposables which stick around for years!