New Study Provides Starting Point for More Environmentally Friendly Nappies
19 May 2005
According to WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) a study on nappies published today by the Environment Agency (EA) has provided a starting point in assessing the comparative environmental impacts of disposable and re-usable nappies. WRAP welcomes the EA's intention to carry out further work[1] to reflect recent developments in re-usable nappy products, and associated laundering behaviour.
The EA's Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) investigated the environmental impact of both disposable and traditional re-usable cloth nappies by considering a range of factors from waste issues to water and energy use.
Commenting on the report, Jennie Price, Chief Executive of WRAP, said: "Consumers are becoming increasingly willing to exercise their buying power to help the environment. What we need to do is to make sure that they have enough information to make the most environmentally responsible choices, both in what they buy and how they use it."
"This study is a contribution to that process, and identifies where manufacturers of the different types of nappy can improve the environmental impact of their products. It is also important to remember that the UK faces a tough legislative challenge to reduce the amount of biodegradable household waste sent to landfill[2], which includes the majority of the 2.8 billion[3] disposable nappies that we throw away every year."
The reason why the EA's further work is so important is because this market is changing rapidly, and modern re-usable nappies are now replacing the traditional terry products assessed in the LCA study[4]. These newer re-usable nappy designs, coupled with current best practice in laundering, can reduce energy and water use, which are the key areas of environmental impact of re-usables identified by the study.
"Modern re-usables offer parents more scope to reduce their environmental impact and re-usable nappy manufacturers have already made good progress in this area by producing nappies that don't require pre-soaking and can be washed at lower temperatures," added Jennie Price. "We also support the Environment Agency in its call for disposable nappy manufacturers to work to reduce the volume of nappy waste that goes to landfill."
[1] Environment Agency LCA foreword: "This study reported on the way people used the leading types of both disposable and reusable nappies in 2002/3. As new products come onto the market place we will update this study and already plan to review the next generation of nappies."
[2]Over the next 15 years, the UK has to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill to meet three phased targets and by 2020 we have to be sending two-thirds less to landfill compared to 1995.
[3] 2003 figure, Mintel
[4] The EA notes that pre-fold nappies are now the most popular design, accounting for more than 50% of re-usable sales.
Attachments: Nappy Facts – Choice and Behaviour
Nappy Facts – Waste and Landfill
Commenting on the report, Jennie Price, Chief Executive of WRAP, said: "Consumers are becoming increasingly willing to exercise their buying power to help the environment. What we need to do is to make sure that they have enough information to make the most environmentally responsible choices, both in what they buy and how they use it."
"This study is a contribution to that process, and identifies where manufacturers of the different types of nappy can improve the environmental impact of their products. It is also important to remember that the UK faces a tough legislative challenge to reduce the amount of biodegradable household waste sent to landfill[2], which includes the majority of the 2.8 billion[3] disposable nappies that we throw away every year."
The reason why the EA's further work is so important is because this market is changing rapidly, and modern re-usable nappies are now replacing the traditional terry products assessed in the LCA study[4]. These newer re-usable nappy designs, coupled with current best practice in laundering, can reduce energy and water use, which are the key areas of environmental impact of re-usables identified by the study.
"Modern re-usables offer parents more scope to reduce their environmental impact and re-usable nappy manufacturers have already made good progress in this area by producing nappies that don't require pre-soaking and can be washed at lower temperatures," added Jennie Price. "We also support the Environment Agency in its call for disposable nappy manufacturers to work to reduce the volume of nappy waste that goes to landfill."
[1] Environment Agency LCA foreword: "This study reported on the way people used the leading types of both disposable and reusable nappies in 2002/3. As new products come onto the market place we will update this study and already plan to review the next generation of nappies."
[2]Over the next 15 years, the UK has to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to landfill to meet three phased targets and by 2020 we have to be sending two-thirds less to landfill compared to 1995.
[3] 2003 figure, Mintel
[4] The EA notes that pre-fold nappies are now the most popular design, accounting for more than 50% of re-usable sales.
Attachments: Nappy Facts – Choice and Behaviour
Nappy Facts – Waste and Landfill
Editor's notes:
Notes to Editors:
- WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) is a major UK programme established to promote resource efficiency. Its particular focus is on creating stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products and removing the barriers to waste minimisation, re-use and recycling.
- A not-for-profit company in the private sector, WRAP is backed by substantial Government funding from Defra, DTI and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- WRAP has laid down targets across fifteen programmes. Twelve are focused on market development, and comprise six material streams (Paper, Plastics, Glass, Wood, Organics, Aggregates, Tyres, Plasterboard and Batteries) and three generic areas (Business & Finance, Procurement, and Regional Market Development). Three further programmes relate to the wider resource efficiency remit - Collections, Communications and Awareness, and Waste Minimisation.
- Part of WRAP's waste minimisation work, the Real Nappy Programme aims to promote more informed choice amongst parents, health professionals and organisations such as nurseries. It also supports new nappy laundry businesses, and is working with high street retailers to improve the choice and raise awareness of the wide range of modern re-usable nappy products now available to parents.
- More information on all of WRAP’s programmes can be found at www.wrap.org.uk
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Amanda Barry Hirst
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