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Disposal Stage

Disposable nappies


Source : Number-10


Disposable nappies are said to be 4% on the total waste in the UK. This is a large amount if you consider that not every home is using nappies. Using disposable nappies is said to double your weekly amount of rubbish.


Governments waste minimisation strategy in 2003 sited composting and using reusable nappies to lead waste prevention in the UK (DEFRA WIP 2003). It has been shown that in the UK nearly 8 million disposable nappies are disposed of a day, with 7.5 million ending up in landfill sites (1)


Source : Tameside


The Nappy information Service (AHPMA) states that 80% of a disposable nappy is biodegradable in the correct conditions. This of course includes the contents. Despite various correspondences with the organisation I have been unable to ascertain these conditions and verify whether they occur on a regular basis in landfill sites. What they do state however is that the plastic 10% is not biodegradeable and common estimates maintain it could take up to 500 years to disappear.(1)


The World Health Organisation states that it is technically illegal to not remove the faeces from nappies before disposal.(3)Nappy companies do not publicise this information and solid contents are left in nappies when they are thrown away. When in a landfill site this is potentially exposed to the public (through rodents, sea birds etc) and can have a negative effect on the surrounding environment. Although 80% of homes in the UK are within 2 km of landfill sites (14) the Nappy Information Service states this type of waste does not pose any health or environmental threat. (2). There is also an environmental risk from seepage to nearby groundwaters.


As Governments try and fulfil landfill Directives (DEFRA WIP 2003) there could be more pressure on incinerators. The incinerating of nappies contributes to greenhouse gasses and any increase in burning will of course increase greenhouse gas

Reusable Nappies

The fabric of old, worn out cloth nappies biodegrade within 6 months and do not add any significant contribution to landfill sites. These are frequently used for subsequent children, passed on or recycled in some way.



Disposal