Composting & Recycling: Natural Nappies

Natural Nappies

Facts & Myths | Types Available | Where can I buy them?

Nappies - Why nappies shouldn't cost the earth!!!

The average child uses up to 5,000 nappies on his/her way to being potty trained. These nappies end up in the local landfill where they can take up to 500 years to decompose. Disposable nappies contain paper pulp, plastics, absorbent gel granules, and chemical additives, which have a negative impact on the environment.

So what are the alternatives?

A wide variety of re-useable nappies, as well as more environmentally friendly disposable nappies are now available in Ireland. Re-useable nappies are kinder to the environment. Also because cotton is breathable heat is allowed to escape, keeping baby cool and comfortable. Are you put off because of negative attitudes towards reusable nappies? Lets look at some of the facts.

Myth: You will need to spend your time washing, scrubbing and soaking soiled nappies.

Fact: Modern reusable nappies can be shaped, fitted and fastened easily with velcro, poppers or ties. They can be used with waterproof pants that keep the nappy in place. They are machine washable.

Myth: Washing nappies uses more energy and water, therefore making disposable a more environmentally friendly option.

Fact: From manufacture to use, disposable nappies use 3. 5 times as much energy, 8 times as much non-renewable raw materials and 90 times as much renewable material as re-useable nappies. They produce 2.3 times as much wastewater and 60 times as much solid waste.

What type of re-useable nappy should I buy?

Re-useable nappies cost a lot less than disposable nappies. From birth to potty training re-useable nappies cost you about approximately €800 less than disposables and they can be used again for the next baby. Therefore it is well worth investing in a good quality absorbent nappy.

Whether buying reusable or disposable nappies, choose those with reduced impacts on the environment, i.e. those with recycled, chlorine free, unbleached or organic raw materials or pulp from sustainably managed forests, with minimum addition of chemicals. By using re-useable nappies even some of the time you are helping the environment.

Where Can I buy re-useable nappies?

The companies that supply these nappies are listed below. Most of these companies offer a convenient mail order service. This list is based on information forwarded to me by various companies. If there are other companies who supply cloth nappies or environmentally friendly alternatives to regular disposables, please contact me and I will include your details in the next edition of Environmental News.

Nappies - The environmentally friendly options:

Cloth Reusable Nappies:

Baby Orchard - Real nappies, Mail order
Contact: Eoin Murphy
The Baby Orchard,
32/33 South Main Street,
Cork
Telephone: 1890 25 22 65
E-mail: info@thebabyorchard.com
Web site: www.thebabyorchard.com

Little Angel's - Cotton Nappies

Contact: Little Angel's Moneen, Castlebar
Telephone: 094 90 25398

Baby Care, Chapel Street, Castlebar

Tel: 094 9027422

Cotton Baby - Pure cotton washable and accessories - mail order
Contact: Geraldine Mc Cormick,
Cotton Baby,
Telephone: 044 45372
E mail: info@cottonbaby.net
Web site: www.cottonbaby.net

Eco Shop ltd,

Tel: 01 2872914

E mail: contact@ecoshop.ie

website: www.ecoshop.ie

Natural Baby Resource

Maebh Collins
Ardcullen
Omeath
Co Louth
Tel 042 937 5867
Email: naturalbabyresource@eircom.net
Web: www.naturalbabyresource.com

Ecologikidz

E mail: info@ecologikids.com

Web: www.ecologikids

Celtic Kidz

E mail: celtickidz@iol.ie

Website: www.celtickidz.com

More Environmentally Friendly Disposable Nappies,

Heneghans Health Food Shop,

Ellison Street,Castlebar

Tel: 094 9027460

Ylang Ylang,

James Street, Westport
098 28802

or Linen Hall Street, Castlebar

Tel: 094 9060606

Eco Baby nappies: Eco friendly, hypoallergenic and delivered to the door.
Contact: Pearse Stokes,
Marketing Manager,
Ecobaby limited,
Telephone: 1850 52-52-53 or 01 - 6205050
Fax: 01 620 7966
E mail: info@ecobaby.ie
Web site: www.ecobaby.ie

EcoWare Ltd -100% compostable, fully flushable nappy pads and nappy and incontinence products.
Contact: Wendy Leeword

Tel: 041 9822594
Email: ecoware@ireland.com
Website: www.ecoware.ie

---

Contact:

Environment Section
Second Floor, Mayo County Council
Aras an Chontae
The Mall
Castlebar

Phone: (094)902 44 44
Email:Environment@mayococo.ie
Opening Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
and 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.