We can reduce our waste by recycling as much as possible. Take a look through our guidance pages for more detailed ideas and information.
Did you know that the average child uses over 4000 disposal nappies and produces a tonne in waste! Unfortunately, items like nappies, sanitary pads and wipes can’t easily be recycled.
However, there are some alternatives available to try. Reusable (real or cloth) nappies are a great alternative providing a host of benefits to you and baby, as well as the environment.
For more information on reusable nappies visit the Re3 website.
You could also use washable cloths as wipes, or there are biodegradable/flushable wipes and washlets available that are a better alternative to plastic based ones.
Not sure which cloth nappy works for you? There are a variety of nappy libraries across the UK offering a loan service or ‘try before you buy’ schemes, as well as face to face advice and demonstrations.
Schemes offering a nappy library/loan service include:
Around 22 items of menstrual products are used per cycle and around 11,000 disposable products will be used in a lifetime per person. Just in the UK this equates to around 4.3 million disposable items per year!
This is not only harmful to the environment, but many of these items contain chemicals which could be harmful to our bodies.
Making the switch to sustainable personal hygiene products is quick and easy as many clothing stores, health/pharmacy stores and online stores are now selling period pants, reusable sanitary towels and menstrual cups.
Alongside the environmental benefits, switching to sustainable products can also save you thousands of pounds. A single cup costs about £15-£30 but can last up to 10 years, replacing the continuous cost of disposable pads and tampons which can add up to £4,800 over a lifetime.
For more information visit the Women's Environmental Network (WEN) website.
WEN.