| There is one area of the early parenthood decision | | | | assume there will be money and energy used to bring |
| making process that will always be of great debate | | | | about this functioning plant - nothing is ever free, both in |
| amongst those wanting to be eco-friendly in their child | | | | terms of financial and environmental cost. Indeed, |
| rearing; cloth or disposable? The disposable nappy is | | | | concerns have been raised by the likes of Go Real, |
| of course much more convenient, no soaking, washing | | | | the online Nappy Information Service, who question |
| and no lingering smells and deposits when you're out | | | | realistic environmental results in addition to high prices. |
| and about. The waste can be rolled up in a convenient | | | | But if it works, it could be a great solution to our |
| balls and thrown away, again and again and again. And | | | | growing household waste problems. |
| there in lies the problem. Human domestic waste | | | | To make it more cost effective, couldn't we reduce |
| production in the UK is estimated at around 440kg per | | | | charges by trying to persuade large Nappy companies |
| person, of which around 80% will go into landfill, with | | | | such as Pampers and Huggies to take a vested |
| nappies and other disposable hygiene products taking | | | | interest, in an effort to demonstrate producer |
| 500 years to decompose. Of course we are trying to | | | | responsibility? Not to mention government and local |
| do better, most households will at least have a Kerby | | | | authorities who would also need to show their |
| box or two for recycling, some with even better | | | | commitment and guidance in these matters. Money |
| facilities depending on their local authority. We now | | | | invested by these companies could also go into |
| have the W.E.E.E. directive that gives specific | | | | research into new environmental technologies that |
| instructions of the disposal of white goods and even | | | | could a ensure the process is as clean and effective |
| our food waste is on the road to being managed. But | | | | as possible. After all we are approaching a General |
| what of disposable hygiene products? As yet there is | | | | Election and it would be nice to see this issue on the |
| no special bin outside my house for these kind of | | | | agenda, as so often environment, female health |
| things and given that the Shugmeister is gunning for an | | | | hygiene and childcare matters are so often overlooked |
| Olympic medal in extreme excrement production, we | | | | or dismissed as secondary in the face of the 'bigger' |
| need one. | | | | issues. We'll have to see in this respect. |
| You could of course bring cloth nappies into the | | | | Yet despite reservation, this is still a great breakthrough |
| equation, but they themselves are not without their | | | | and one that could help individual families and of course |
| limitations and problems. In addition to the massive | | | | hospitals, care facilities and other organisations that |
| inconvenience (and lets face it, when you're dealing | | | | deal with this kind of waste, not to mention boost the |
| with a child or children, particularly for the first time, you | | | | economy in terms of the jobs and resources it will |
| can't be blamed for wanting to make life easier in | | | | create. It may be a while before this kind of process is |
| those areas that you can), you also have the fact that | | | | introduced on a large, safe and affordable scale |
| constant washing and drying can push up your energy | | | | (although there are another 4 plants planned across |
| consumption (not to mention detergent use), add to | | | | the country) and Shugs will probably be out of nappies |
| that the initial production of cloth nappies, and the | | | | by the time this happens. But it is at least comforting to |
| whole process can in many ways be | | | | know that any siblings, cousins and future generations |
| counterproductive, though not without merit. | | | | may have this service available to them. |
| So it was with great excitement that I read about the | | | | I would strongly suggest that you not only check out |
| new AHPS (nappies, adult incontinence and feminine | | | | the website to find out more, but also make it clear to |
| hygiene products) Recycling Plant that is due to open | | | | your local authorities, MLAS/MPs and the nappy |
| this year in West Bromwich, in the Midlands. Canadian | | | | production companies themselves that you support this |
| firm Knowaste is currently building the plant that will | | | | concept in theory and would like to see it researched |
| convert this waste into roofing tiles, absorption | | | | and developed further. |
| materials and paper products to name but a few. Of | | | | For more information on cloth nappies, check out Go |
| course I imagine that there will also be a need for | | | | Real and the Cloth Nappy Tree. |
| independent research into the process, as you can | | | | |