I don't know what to do regarding the diapers and our first child is expected soon! I always thought I would plump for reusable nappies, however, we have recently moved to Kuwait with the work of my husband and he says that, due to the way water is desalinated here and consumes so much water, it would be more ecological to use disposable. The eco-friendly disposable products on the market are not sold here and even if I stocked largely would be dependent on the marks less ethical. I really am in a dilemma, please help!
Claire Shepherd, by email
Seems to have been a while now since last heard anyone raise this age-old debate. Six years ago, it was all the rage, probably because the Agency published its controversial report which calculated and compared the environmental footprint of washable diapers and disposable.
My reaction to the report can be seen here an article I wrote for the resources section of the book G2. Why, I asked, the report did not examine the amount of waste sent to landfills that generate disposable diapers? And why, when you try to calculate the embodied energy of washable diapers, he assume people settled them?!
In 2008, the Department of environment, food and Rural Affairs has published an updated report (pdf), which drew conclusions much more subtle. He concluded: "the environmental impacts of using reusable nappies in shape can be larger or smaller than the disposable use, depending on how they are bleached. The report shows that, in contrast to the use of disposable nappies, is consumer behaviour after purchase that determines most of the impacts of reusable nappies ".
He then listed six ways for users of washable diapers to "reduce their environmental impacts": line drying outside whenever possible. fall of drying as little as possible. When replacing appliances, choosing more energy efficient appliances (A + rated machines); not washing above 60° c. Washing full loads; and reusing nappies on other children.
There was a time when the (previous) Government was actively promoting the use of washable nappies with grants schemas as real campaign contour diapers. In 2007, the then Minister of the environment said this "campaign three years managed to divert approximately 23,000 tons of biodegradable diapers waste landfill in England".
But, in addition to opening query response on comparative environmental merits of disposable diapers and washable, I also would to know if any of the local plans is still up and running to promote the use of washable diapers, or laundry service.
This column is an experiment in crowd-sourcing the reader's question, then please let us know your opinions and experiences below (as opposed to email them) and will join in with some of my own thoughts and reactions as advances the debate. I will also be inviting several interested parties to participate in the debate too.
? Send your own question of environment for ask.leo.and.lucy@guardian.co.uk.
Or, Alternatively, message me on Twitter @ LeoHickman
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