Environmental impact of nappy types… let’s tell the whole story!
24 October 2008
Recent reports in Australian media on the results of an updated UK report on the relative environmental impact of disposable nappies vs reusable nappies have provided misleading interpretations of the UK report’s conclusions.
The recent update to the UK report, An updated lifecycle assessment study for disposable and reusable nappies1, found that on average, reusable nappies had a slightly higher (3%) carbon footprint than disposable nappies, when laundered under typical household conditions.
Laundering techniques affect carbon load
For reusable nappies, the carbon footprint is heavily dependent on the conditions of washing and drying. The carbon load can be anywhere between 81% higher to 38% lower than disposable nappies depending on factors such as water temperature, use of tumble dryers or line drying and use by subsequent children. But in typical usage the load is similar.
Many media reports have focused on a figure of 40% difference in carbon load, however this figure only compares the difference which results from different laundering techniques for reusable nappies.
The UK report states that reusable nappies which are laundered under an “extreme” washing scenario – washed with a high efficiency load, 100% line dried all year and passed on to siblings – have a 40% lower carbon footprint than reusable nappies which are laundered under typical household conditions.
Carbon footprint for disposable nappies reduced
The update also found that the carbon footprint for disposable nappies has been reduced by 12% since the previous study and continues to reduce as nappies manufacturers continue to design thinner nappies that perform just as well as earlier products.
This results in a reduction in energy, raw materials, transportation and overall waste for disposable nappies.
Tell the whole story
General Manager, Corporate Services for Kimberly-Clark, Ross Hearne, called on proponents of cloth nappies to quote the full report results, and not focus on one extreme case that is unlikely to occur in the real world.
He said “The study reconfirms that neither nappy system is superior from an environmental viewpoint. Parents should select their nappy systems based on a guilt-free assessment of performance, convenience, cost, and the health of their baby.”
Find out more about disposable vs reusable nappies.
- Simon Aumônier, Michael Collins, & Peter Garrett. An updated lifecycle assessment study for disposable and reusable nappies, Science Report – SC010018/SR2, Oct 08, The Environment Agency, Bristol, UK.
