Global warming

[gingerpig]

The report I was quoting was this one:
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/co ... 072099.pdf

(it's a huge pdf) which was commissioned by the Environment Agency and published in May 2005. Beanie, you dont say where you got your quote from so I can't really compare, but if you look at the summery of the above report of the EA website, it does actually mention all the actions mentioned in your quote as those which people can do if they wish to reduce the impact of reusable nappies: http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/yo ... 6/1072214/

We were really pee'd off recently as we thought we were buying our electricity on a green tariff and it turns out it isn't. So we need to find a new one.

 

[beanie]

So from what I can see the study basically said that if people used ncloth nappies like the vast majority do they are better? (sorry I am cooking tea and am rushing back and forth). It has about people ironiong their nappies?? Also its based on 3 types, the disposable, the flat cotton type nappy (both home laundered and a laundering service). It would be interesting if they had used other types of real nappies too, for example the bamboo types which have less enviromental impact). Thanks for the link though, I am going to print it of and read it

I do agree though that it does depend on the enviromental concerns of where you live. I guess in areas where water is restricted then obviously this is a bigger factor. Whereas in Britain our landfills are the main concern with our government.

 

[hannahbet20]

i was everything unless needed on 30 and switch lights off and were possible use energy efficient bulbs, oh and never boil more water than u need in the kettle thats about it from me but its deffo something to think about.

 

[gingerpig]

The EA study concluded that:

Neither type of nappy is better or worse for the environment. Our study showed that there are many reasons why people choose one sort of nappy over another.

and also:

What does it show?

We compared using disposable nappies, washing reusables at home and using a laundry service. To make the comparison fair we examined all the impacts while a child was wearing nappies. We found that there was little or no difference between the different types of nappy.

The most significant environmental impacts for the three uses of nappies were using up resources such as fossil fuels for electricity, acid rain, and global warming. These impacts happen at different points during a nappy’s use.

* for disposable nappies, the main impacts relate to manufacturing including raw material production and waste management
* for home use reusables and commercial laundering, the main source of environmental impact is from generating the electricity used in washing and drying

You are right though, they obviously didn't use the fullest possible range of nappies that can be used, and also on you define the environmental concerns of where you live. Like with food - is it better for the environment buying organic food which has been imported from abroad and which therefore has a big carbon footprint, or do you try and buy locally produced stuff which may not be organically certified or even be organic (it's expensive to be certified...), but which wouldn't have incurred the carbon footprint, although some of the methods involved in its making are not so great for the local environment? Obviously I have no answers, and I do tend to suspect that in many cases its more about us being interested with and engaging with the debate that will result in the environment being protected, as it spurs us on to look for further solutions. You're absolutely right though, we do ahve to do something, and that's really important to do as well!

I must admit I was hoping to be able to wash nappies on 30 degree's as I do all of my cycles at that, and I was going to try and buy unbleached ones so the colour changes might not be so obvious lol. Obviously I don't want to use nappysan - for soaking I've read that a small amount of water plus tea tree and/or lavender oil is just as effective? I do tumble dry a lot of stuff which is bad, but we are going to look for a greener electricity supplier, as I tend to try and make sure our rooms aren't that warm lol. Should really hang stuff outside!

 

[gingerpig]

ps I didn't notice the bit about ironing nappies - I mean WTF??????

 

[beanie]

I see what the study is saying but I do think that cloth nappies are more enviromentally friendly if you take the steps like lower temp wash etc and certainly no ironing (still makes me chuckle). Tea tree oil is a great antseptic and is natural, I use that or lavender oil in my wash, no longer use napisan. I don't even soak my nappies unless they are very heavily soiled, with todays washing machines there isn't any real need. Bamboo nappies are more antibacterial but as they are more absorbant the drying time is very long, so if you are limited to drying then that is obviously a factor you need to consider. I wash the vast majority of my nappies on 30 degrees and they always come out clean, if there is any slight staining a spell in the sun works a treat.

 

[gingerpig]

Thanks for that - wheeeeeeeee I can wash my nappies at 30 degrees now lol. As for staining tbh, who really cares - nappies are for picking poo up lol. I'm happy to out myself as the worst housewife ever to be fair - I'm not really that fecked. I have a friend whose guilty confession was that she decided no longer to iron her duvet covers lolololol.

 

[beanie]

I am the biggest slob ever

Honestly real nappies are such a doddle these days. Most people still remember the pails of soaking nappies, the boiling, folding and pins etc. With todays fabrics and designs the washing is easy - just bung in the machine. I put a wash on at night, hang it out in the morning and if they are still damp just put on airer overnight and thats them done. Easy peasy, but I warn you they are too addictive