ENVIRONMENT

*50% of the rubbish in a one-baby family is made up of disposable nappies.

*8 million nappies are thrown away DAILY in the U.K. alone.

( These will take several hundred years to decompose and a study published in the March/98 New Scientist shows how the "pulling power in modern disposables actually leech liquid from surrounding rubbish in a landfill. This means each nappy not only increases in volume, it robs other waste of the moisture needed to decompose.)

*Studies by the Women’s Environmental Network (www.wen.org.uk) and the Canadian Government show that "cloth nappies", including the impact of home washing, are kinder to the environment.

In fact compared to cloth nappies, "disposables" use:

-3.5 times more energy

-8 times more non-renewable resources

-90 times more renewable resources

-60 times more solid waste

-and they use 4 times the land to grow natural materials.

HEALTH

*The type of nappy used is NOT a factor when it comes to nappy rash.

(According to a recent study by Prof. Jean Golding, Child Health Expert at Bristol University.)

*Cotton nappies are (and always have been ) breathable.

(Despite "Huggies" claim to be "the first and only breathable nappy". A complaint has been lodged with the Advertising Standards Authority concerning falsehood.)

*The gels and chemicals that make up disposable nappies’ absorbent layer are not subject to government controls.

(Nonylpheyl ethoxylate, a proven oestrogen mimic, linked to sex changes in fish and dropping sperm count, is only recently being phased out of disposable nappies.)

ECONOMICS

*The average savings after using cotton nappies for a first child is £600.

*As cloth nappies should last for two or more children, savings go up significantly as your family grows.

*Babies in washable nappies seem to potty train more easily and earlier.

Cost Comparisons:

Type of Nappy Least Expensive Most Expensive
"Disposable" £703 (non-ultras) £1104(ultras)
Washing Service £736 £1076
Shaped Nappies (eg SAM I AM) £346 £836
Terry Nappies £250 £280

( Costs based on 5020 nappy changes over a 2 ½ year period. The cost of shaped and terry nappies includes all accessories, washing agents, energy, and a £150 wear and tear on a washing machine. The washing service price includes : delivery, nappies, wraps, and accessories. The cost of disposables does not include delivery or disposal.)

*For every pound (£1) spent on "disposables", it costs the taxpayer 10p to deal with their disposal.

CONVENIENCE

*Modern cotton nappies are shaped, fitted, and fasten easily without pins.

( They come in a variety of styles, patterns and sizes and can be a fun part of a baby’s wardrobe.)

*Flushable, biodegradable nappy liners can be used inside a cotton nappy to keep baby feeling dry and to allow solid waste to simply be peeled away.

(In fact, this makes changing baby less messy and more hygienic than disposables, as the liner, the poo…and the odour…can simply be flushed down the loo!)

*Nappy Washing Services can eliminate the need to wash cotton nappies at home.

(They deliver stacks of hygienic, soft cotton nappies right to your door and whisk away dirty ones to be cleaned.)

*Using cotton nappies mean no more struggling through queues with jumbo packs of nappies or running out in the middle of the night!!

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