The vast majority of babies and toddlers still wear disposable nappies. But what are these nappies actually made of? As manufacturers aren’t required to list the ingredients on the packaging, we decided to investigate for ourselves. And it turns out: these nappies aren’t as ‘fresh’ as you might think. Not even before use. During our search, we also came across eco-friendly disposable nappies with promising terms such as ‘0% plastic’ and ‘100% sustainable materials’. Sounds good, but usually the packaging looks more sustainable than the nappy’s contents. Do sustainable nappies actually exist? We set out to find out!
What is actually in a nappy?
Despite washable nappies becoming increasingly popular, most parents still use disposable nappies for their little one. And actually we completely understand that: it's easy, familiar and almost all parents and nurseries do it. But what are nappies actually made of, what is the environmental impact and what about ‘more sustainable’ nappies? Does that really exist or is it an empty marketing promise for our children's bottoms? In short, a lot of – nice pun – questions. Time to dive in!
What are disposable nappies made of?
Let's first take a look at the standard nappies that fly off the shelves the most. Most nappies consist of plastic, wood pulp and superabsorbent plastic granules (to use a complicated term: Super Absorbent Polyacrylate, also known as SAP). Sometimes a lotion is also added to protect the skin and perfume to combat unpleasant odours. A large portion of the raw materials is therefore petroleum-based. Given that a child needs around five thousand nappies during the entire nappy period, you can imagine that this is not all that, erm... sustainable.
What is in a nappy does not simply disappear
We naturally use paper and plastic more often in daily life – think of food packaging, for example – but in nappies the various materials are intertwined and therefore difficult to recycle. Moreover, they are contaminated with wee and poo. The superabsorbent granules in the nappy pose an extra challenge. SAP does not break down naturally like organic material and can therefore remain in the environment for a long time. When incinerated, these granules do not disappear without a trace, but are broken down into gases and residues, which shifts the problem from waste to emissions.
Can nappies be recycled?
In some municipalities in the Netherlands, disposable nappies are collected separately so that they can subsequently be recycled. A great idea, but before you conclude ‘disposable nappy for life’: unfortunately, this is so far only happening on a small scale because capacity is limited. In special nappy recycling plants, such as ARN in Nijmegen, it is possible to recycle the plastic from the nappies and use the rest to generate energy. This sounds good, but there is a caveat: this process itself also consumes a lot of energy, even though it is still better than when the nappies end up in residual waste. Nappy recycling is therefore a step in the right direction, but not a perfect solution.
More sustainable disposable nappies exist, but in most cases washable nappies are the most sustainable nappies.
Are disposable nappies unhealthy?
Disposable nappies are therefore not that great for the environment, but what about your child's health? In principle, disposable nappies sold in the Netherlands must comply with strict safety regulations. The chemical substances contained in a nappy must remain below certain limit values. Sometimes you see shocking news reports that harmful substances such as formaldehyde and glyphosate have been found in nappies. This is partly due to pesticide residues and production processes. Even though it is found, it still remains below the limit values. So no worries! Yet there is something to be aware of: these standards are set per substance, while there are various chemical substances in a nappy. About the so-called cocktaileffect – the potential health impact of a mixture of chemicals – is still poorly understood. And when you consider that a baby wears a nappy pretty much all day and night, you might not find this such a comforting thought. In that case, a washable nappy is a perfect alternative. We have already written a great deal about washable nappies!
Looking for eco-friendly nappies
So, standard disposable nappies are anything but sustainable. But more and more eco-friendly nappies are coming onto the market. If you see the adverts for these nappies, you’d think they were the ideal solution. They’re promoted using terms such as ‘0% oil-based plastic’ or ‘100% sustainable materials’. It sounds nice and sustainable, but is it really? When we looked beyond the packaging, we discovered that even eco-friendly nappies still contain SAP. A disposable nappy made from 100% natural material would either be too absorbent or would have to be very thick to absorb enough moisture. A thin nappy that absorbs well therefore always contains SAP. And that is precisely the part of the nappy that is very harmful to the environment.
It is true that eco-friendly disposable nappies are largely made from natural materials, which are generally better for your baby's skin and for the environment. Even so, these nappies are not always more sustainable in every respect. For instance, natural ingredients sometimes require more agricultural land or water, which in turn makes them less sustainable. Well, it remains a tricky issue.
Choosing sustainable nappies
If you have the opportunity, washable nappies are the most sustainable choice. In an earlier article we already investigated whether washable nappies are more sustainable than disposable nappies. The conclusion was that with reusable nappies you have a lot of influence on the environment yourself through the way you wash and dry them. If you make sure the washing machine is full and you don't put the nappies in the tumble dryer, reusable nappies are more sustainable than disposable nappies, especially if you use them for multiple children. If you constantly run half-full loads and put the nappies in the dryer every time, it is questionable whether they are more sustainable than disposable nappies. The type of electricity you use (green or grey) and the time of washing (not during an energy peak, is the urgent advice) naturally also plays a role.
We realise that washable nappies might not be feasible for everyone, even though the amount of washing isn't nearly as bad as people think. We speak from experience! And that's why we also have a tip on how you can choose more sustainable disposable nappies. Buy nappies with an environmental label. The Nordic Swan Ecolabel and the EU Ecolabel are good environmental labels for disposable nappies. The FSC or PEFC label indicates that the wood pulp in the nappy comes from sustainably managed forests. Examples of brands that make more sustainable disposable nappies are: Bambo Nature, Kit & Kin and ECO by Naty.
Do you choose sustainable nappies?
Conclusion: unfortunately, a truly sustainable disposable nappy does not (yet) exist. In most cases, washable nappies are the most sustainable choice. Do you want to know more about washable nappies? On thegreenlist.nl do we have a real reusable nappy file, in which we have gathered the most important tips for you. Still choosing disposable nappies? Then opt for nappies with an eco-label. And remember: a new nappy doesn't need to be put on for every single wee. Every nappy you save counts.
You might also find this interesting
- Besides nappies, are you looking for a sustainable baby kit? Find out here what you really need and what can be done second-hand.
- Wondering how to tackle a sustainable pregnancy? You can read it here.
- Would you like to breastfeed and are looking for tips? Breastfeeding tips from someone with first-hand experience.
Sources: Milieu Centraal, WHERE IS IT.nl, De Morgen, ARN, Wastenet, Recycling Netherlands, VKI. Photo credits: main image: Karola G. (Pexels), baby with nappy: Yankrukov (Pexels), washable nappies: Kirsten Schoner.
