| Where do we stand on environmental green issues | | | | Disadvantages |
| and economical, money-saving agendas when it | | | | Cloth nappies are bulky and not easy to carry around. |
| comes to choosing between modern disposable | | | | There is the problem of where to put dirty cloth |
| nappies for convenience or the reusable old-fashioned | | | | nappies on a day out. |
| cloth option for our baby? | | | | To help reduce the effects of global warming and to |
| Let's consider the arguments for and against both | | | | save money, cloth nappies do seem to be the answer. |
| types. | | | | But for convenience and time saving, disposable |
| Modern Disposable Nappies | | | | convenient nappies seem the way to go. |
| Advantages | | | | Let us consider a few more facts. |
| Slim, easy to carry around and dispose of. Most public | | | | The Environmental Agency states that the negative |
| places have baby changing areas. | | | | impact on the environment caused by modern |
| No messing around with safety pins and messy | | | | convenient nappies, which contribute toward global |
| waste. | | | | warming, is matched by the cost and the amount of |
| Modern nappies keep baby drier for longer. | | | | electricity and water it takes to wash and dry |
| Savings are made on water and electric bills, as | | | | old-fashioned style cloth nappies. |
| disposable nappies don't add to the laundry load. | | | | Here are a couple of green suggestions that may be |
| Disadvantages | | | | considered to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and |
| 750 tonnes of disposable nappies end up in landfill sites. | | | | save money as well. |
| Disposable nappies take up to 200-500 years to | | | | 1. Whilst working parents may have little spare time |
| decompose | | | | available during the week, modern disposable nappies |
| 4% of household rubbish consists of used nappies. | | | | are a convenience. |
| This excessive nappy waste is unhygienic and smelly, | | | | 2. However, consider using old-fashioned cloth nappies |
| especially in areas where the council will only collect | | | | at weekends. |
| rubbish fortnightly. | | | | Advantages |
| Disposable nappies are expensive to buy, look out for | | | | During the week water and electricity bills are reduced |
| offers and discounts. | | | | as disposable nappies are being used. |
| New born babies grow quickly, so beware when | | | | Greenhouse emissions are reduced. |
| buying in bulk. Money won't be saved if the nappies | | | | Money is saved at the weekend by not buying |
| are too small to fit baby. | | | | disposable nappies. |
| Old-Fashioned Cloth Nappies | | | | The average baby gets through 5,000 plus nappy |
| Advantages | | | | changes before being toilet trained. By adopting these |
| Cloth nappies don't add to environmental waste and | | | | two strategies, the best of both worlds is achieved by |
| the landfill problem. They can be washed and reused | | | | saving money and reducing personal carbon footprints. |
| again, and again. | | | | The effects of global warming on the environment are |
| Easy on the purse strings. You can make savings of | | | | reduced as greenhouse emissions have been lowered. |
| up to £500 per child by the time they are ready | | | | All individual contributions, no matter how small, can |
| for potty training. | | | | greatly increase the chance of a better future for our |
| Money need not be spent on new nappies for a | | | | children. Where better to start than in the nursery? |
| second baby. | | | | |