The Truth About Nappy Recycling

Image copyright of Pura Nappies Recycling Instagram

When you hear the word "recycling," it sounds like something that is good for the planet. We all know that disposable nappies are bad for the environment and will hang around not decomposing for hundreds of years, we also want convenience and we want safe products for our babies skin. 

We have bins collected every two weeks that we can put our household recycling in making the job convenient, the local tip takes 99% of our waste including batteries, old paint, textiles, even old electrical items can be dropped off in an effort to reduce our environmental impact and lower our household waste.

But when it comes to disposable nappies, things aren’t so simple. Disposable nappy manufacturers have got clever with the wording of their nappies compositions and as yet they themselves are happy to admit there isn't a perfect eco disposable that will biodegrade.  Check 'eco' nappies for mentions of 'plant based material' which is actually bioplastic by another name!  

ALL disposable nappies contain at least 15% to 20% plastic.  The main difference between 'eco' nappies or 'sustainable' nappies, aside from the price, is that they contain bioplastics instead of oil based plastic.  And, their absorbency is generally from FSC certified bamboo or viscose.  That's it.  They may biodegrade slightly quicker, but not in landfill conditions as landfill is specifically NOT designed to biodegrade quickly to avoid the release of landfill gases such as methane.

While nappy recycling it seems like a solution to the problem of single-use products, it has its downsides and the upsides are far from clear.

The internet adds to confusion with a few authorities starting to offer schemes to collect used disposables, and other sites like Keep Britain Tidy campaigning to insist manufacturers label their nappies as unrecyclable so parents stop adding them to recycling bins. 

In this post, we'll explore how nappy recycling works, the challenges it presents, and why reusable nappies may be a better option. Local authorities have some really helpful incentive schemes that can make buying a stash of the reusable nappies more cost effective.

How Does Nappy Recycling Work?

Most people wish they could find a greener way to use disposable nappies but they drop them into their kitchen bin wrapped in a nappy sack choosing convenience over carbon footprint.

Nappy recycling is a relatively new and complex process. You would need to search out a recycling scheme in your area, some local councils have a scheme. 

Bristol council are working with Nappicycle to recycle nappies into their base materials for reuse. The cellulose cores can be made into fibre boards and acoustic panelling. The plastics are sent for secondary recycling.

Here's a step-by-step look at how nappy recycling works:

1. Drop-off or Collection: This can be done either through special drop-off points or collection services, depending on the area. 
2. Transportation: Nappies need to be transported to suitable facilities.
3. Sorting: Once nappies reach a recycling facility, they are sorted from other waste materials.
4. Cleaning and Sterilisation: Before nappies can be recycled, they undergo cleaning and sterilisation using high amounts of water and energy to remove waste and bacteria.
5. Material Separation: Disposable nappies are made of different materials like plastic, cellulose, and absorbent chemicals. These are separated through mechanical processes.
6. Recycling into New Products: They can be made into construction materials, park benches, or plant pots. Only certain parts of the nappy, the plastic and pulp, can be recycled.

While this process allows for some recovery of materials, it is currently not a perfect solution.

The Cons of Nappy Recycling

While nappy recycling sounds like a great solution to the 300,000 'sposies heading to landfill or incineration every minute worldwide, there are several cons of nappy recycling to consider:

Energy-Intensive Process

Cleaning and sterilising nappies to a safe standard is energy-intensive. The water and power required to clean large volumes of nappies can counteract the environmental benefits of recycling.  Parents are supposed to flush poo before disposing of nappies, but many are unaware of this.

Separation Challenges

As nappies are made from a mix of materials, they need to be separated for recycling using complex machinery and energy-intensive processes.

Contamination Issues

Human waste makes nappy recycling particularly tricky. If nappies are heavily contaminated, it can lead to hygiene issues and make them unfit for recycling. This results in many nappies still ending up in landfill.

Limited Facilities

There are only a few facilities in the UK that can process nappy waste. Transporting nappies to these facilities adds to the carbon footprint.  This limits access and affordability for many families.

Experimental stage

Nappy recycling services are in their infancy and the process is still being tested at scale.

The Pros of Nappy Recycling

While nappy recycling has its drawbacks, there are also some positives to the process. Here are the pros of nappy recycling:

Reduction of Landfill Waste

Disposable nappies including eco nappies are notoriously hard to break down, taking an estimated 500 years to decompose. Recycling diverts a portion of this waste from landfills.

Resource Recovery

Despite the challenges of separating materials, the recycling process recovers some resources from nappies, such as plastics and cellulose which can be repurposed into new products extending the life of materials that would otherwise be discarded.

Eco-friendly Alternative for Non-reusable Nappy Users

For those who find reusable nappies challenging due to time, lifestyle, or convenience factors, nappy recycling provides a slightly more eco-friendly alternative to throwing disposable nappies in the bin. While not as green as reusable nappies, recycling still offers a more environmentally responsible option than traditional disposal methods.

Innovation in Waste Management

The development and improvement of nappy recycling technologies is a positive step toward more sustainable waste management. As more facilities are made, the system should hopefully improve.

Raising Environmental Awareness

Nappy recycling programs encourage families to think more about their waste and the environmental impact of their consumption habits, hopefully leading to bigger shifts toward sustainability.

While nappy recycling is not perfect yet, it does reduce landfill waste and provides an eco-friendlier option for disposable nappy users.

Are Reusable Nappies Better than Recycling Disposables?

Yes! Using reusable nappies is a much better and more sustainable solution than recycling disposables. Here’s why:

No Need for Disposal or Recycling

Reusable nappies are used and washed over and over for years before they enter the recycling process. This dramatically reduces waste sent to landfill.

Lower Environmental Impact

The energy required to produce a reusable nappy is offset after just a few uses. Over the course of their lifespan, reusable nappies have a far smaller environmental footprint - they can even go in your washing machine with other washing to keep extra costs down. By avoiding constant production, disposal, and recycling, reusable nappies cut down on water, energy, and material use.

Cost Savings

Reusable nappies have a more expensive upfront cost, the long-term savings are considerable. You only need to buy a few reusable nappies compared to the thousands of disposables used between birth and potty training.

Less Harmful Chemicals

Many disposable nappies contain chemicals like chlorine, super absorbent polymers and fragrances that are potentially harmful to both babies and the environment. Reusable nappies, especially when made from organic or natural materials, are free from such chemicals, making them a healthier option for babies and the planet.

"We love Cheeky Wipes! Great solution for reusable nappies and wipes, we just added in the essential oils as my son is a bit older now and they smell great." Trustpilot, September '24

Conclusion

Nappy recycling has potential but is currently in its infancy and is not a perfect solution. The process is energy-intensive, complicated, and not widely available. While it diverts some waste from landfills, the environmental benefits are limited when compared to switching to reusable nappies.

If you’re looking for a truly sustainable way to care for your baby and the planet, reusable nappies are the better option. They avoid the need for energy-hungry recycling processes, save money, and are healthier.

We hope this post has helped clarify the reality of nappy recycling and inspired you to consider making the switch to reusables. 

If you were interested in cloth but nervous to commit, our happiness guarantee allows you to buy and try a nappy with the reassurance that if it doesn't work for you and your baby it can be returned for a refund - don't worry, the nappy won't go to waste, I will send it on to one of our charities.

If you have any questions or want more tips on saving money with eco-friendly parenting choices, feel free to get in touch or explore more of our blog posts.

• How long do reusable nappies last?
• How many reusable nappies do I need?
• The pros and cons of reusable nappies

If you would like more information, please email the team or find us on the website chat function. We all use the products ourselves and LOVE to chat pee poo and periods. Nothing is TMI and we all love to overshare based on our own experiences.

About the Author: Kirstin on our customer services team loves spending her days helping customers with their reusable period product needs and advising cloth nappy using families. Kirstin lives with her three teenagers and loves walking, cycling and sea swimming year round in our beautiful bay.