Are reusables better even in a drought? What is best for the environment?

[MtnBikeChick]

I am trying to weigh up the pros and cons of using reusable nappies. My understanding, from an environmental perspective, has always been that you need to look to your local surroundings and work out what your issue is - landfill or water shortage. Living in the UK I have always assumed landfill is the big issue so clearly reducing waste by using reusables is better for the environment. However, I have seen on the news this morning that areas of the UK are already heading into a drought with hosepipe bans, etc, this summer. Is it really still better to use reusables in these circumstances (i.e. rather than 60% biodegradable nappies such as Bambo)? My baby is due at the end of July, so it will be warm! I am finding it difficult to work out the best environmental option! Any thoughts/advice really appreciated.

I think you need to consider the impact of the process of manufacture - there will be ongoing manufacture of disposables (even if 60 percent biodegradable) versus the one-off manufacture of reusables.

Drought conditions also beneficial from point of view of drying/bleaching nappies by line-drying rather than using tumble dryer.

If you have an efficient washing machine and dry pail then I think you will be keeping water usage to a minimum.

Consider grey-water recycling (watering garden using run-off from washing machine/bath etc) as way to reduce impact further?

Disclaimer: about to have 3rd DC, have used reusables from birth for all three, have not found it difficult or massive chore. Use mix of Bambino Mio and Mothercare smart nappy outers, Bambino Mio flat foldable nappies, fleece liners. Also reusable wipes. Did not buy any new bits for DC2, won't need any more for DC3. Benefits of reusables magnified if you have more than one DC!

The ongoing production of disposables is a big problem as well as landfill in the uk. As was said before if you dry pail and wash on eco washes water is kept to a minimum. Washing with towels to ensure a full load everytime also helps, or using half load options if not. Also think about your warm newborn sitting in those chemicals in disposables, thats enough to put me off using them!!

Thanks for the input and advice!

I agree with suseB and peachybums
An efficient washing machine, full loads and dry pailing mean that the water use is far less than it would once have been.
Sunshine is AMAZING stuff for taking out the poo stains, and the reusables do get very sweaty in the hot weather.

One of my friends is Waste & recycling manager for a county council. He says that once you take into account manufacturing, transport, storage, destruction etc that there is no argument whatsover that resuables are better for the environment than disposables

The Environment Agency have updated their study comparing the environmental effects of disposables & cloth nappies. Their conclusion is that cloth is better for the environment as long as you do full machine washes, don't wash at more than 60 degrees, line dry instead of tumble drying, have an energy efficient washing machine and reuse nappies for any other children you have.

The report is here

Fibilou - I just don't know how anyone can believe that manufacturing, transporting and disposing of 4500 nappies can be the same as the manufacture, transport and final disposal of 20 nappies.
I know those 20 nappies need washing but people seem to forget that disposables are made up of mainly paper, and paper uses loads of water in its manufacturing process.

Goodness knows, NappyShed. I think it's fingers-in-ears lahlahlah syndrome actually

I think you also have to be practical. With my first child I changed to cloth nappies in the middle of the drought. I could not cope with the stink of disposible nappies as we have fortnightly collections in our area.

Disposible nappies use a cup of oil for each nappy and there are costs manufacture and water is used to make paper.

If you are seriously worried about the enviroment then the best route for you is elimination communication. But most parents would consider not using nappies a bit extreme.

biodegradable disposables don't biodegrade in landfill. If you want them to biodegrade, you need to compost them. They are also bulkier than ordinary disposables so have a greater environmental impact due to transport. They use water in the manufacture, as well as oil.

Disposables use loads of water in the manufacturing process, more than washing nappies does if you use an efficient washing machine.