No environmental difference between cloth & disposable nappies

9 July 2007

The similar environmental impact of cloth and disposable nappies has been receiving media attention in Australia this week following a UK Government decision to withdraw funding for initiatives which promote cloth systems.

This decision was based on a report by the UK Environment Agency which demonstrated that the overall environmental impacts were almost identical.

The report, Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies in the UK published in 2005, was the most detailed study of its type and considered in detail the impacts of cloth nappies – both home and commercially laundered – and disposable nappies. Where uncertainties existed, a range of data was examined to determine whether differences impacted on the conclusions. For example, the percentage of nappies tumble dried was assessed at differing levels.

Attacks on the report’s credibility by some commentators claiming that the study assumes that nappies are washed at 90°C or all tumble dried are inaccurate and demonstrate a failure to read the report.

In determining the equivalence of the two systems the report noted that cloth nappies use more water, energy and detergents, and that the main source of environmental impact is the generation of the electricity used in washing and drying the nappies. For disposable nappies the impact is mainly in manufacture and disposal.

The report recommended that disposable nappy manufacturers should focus on weight reduction and improvements in materials manufacturing.

Kimberly-Clark has adopted this approach for many years and has reduced nappy bulk by more than half in the last five years and continues to search for innovative ways to reduce material usage in its state-of-the-art nappy plant in Australia.

Find out more about how Kimberly-Clark cares for the environment.