Many readers will, like me, have been seriously disappointed when they heard that the Environment Agency’s research (2005) found “no significant difference” between the environmental impacts of disposable and real nappies. The Women’s Environment Network have made a loud and clear response, stating the long and expensive study is “seriously flawed” and “a wasted opportunity.” The study misses the point about disposable nappies clogging up landfill sites, uses un-representative samples (2000 disposable nappy users compared to 117 cloth nappy users), over-estimates numbers of real nappies needed, washing temperatures and gives scant consideration to laundry services. Not forgetting that real nappies are made with less or no chemicals, so are less harmful to the baby, and are recyclable from family to family.
For more reassurance and tips on how to further reduce environmental impact when washing real nappies, visit www.wen.org.uk/nappies/index.htm
To read the full response from WEN, click here: http://www.wen.org.uk/general_pages/Newsitems/ms_LCA19.5.05.htm
First published issue 42 (Autumn 2005)
Written by Beccy Golding
Disclaimer – details correct at time of publishing but may now have changed. Please make your own checks.
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