Time For A Change? Cloth Diapers Vs. Disposal Nappies

For an article of baby clothing, nappies have caused a lot of controversy in their time. Known as diapers in North America and nappies in Britain, the word 'diaper' was originally the name for a type of linen. While the word remained in North America, it evolved in Britain to 'nappy' and still remains. The latest controversy surrounding nappies has been mounting for some time: that of whether we should use cloth nappies or disposables.

The invention of the disposable diaper in the 1950s was at the time, and often still is, hailed as one of the most liberating inventions in history for parents. Taking off in America in the 1960s, and then popularised around the world in the 1970s and 1980s, today it is estimated that parents in Britain bin over eight million disposable nappies a day. As our environmental conscience grows ever larger, this is becoming a huge problem, as disposable nappies can remain in landfill sites for many years - some sources estimate this figure may be over 100 years. The devastating impact this has on our environment has increasingly been pushed into the public sphere, with a small war erupting between activist, green parents using "real nappies", i.e. cloth diapers, and other parents who insist that using disposables gives them more leisure time to spend with their children.

While it is indisputable that disposable nappies free up a large amount of time for parents, the detrimental effects of using them is becoming increasingly inescapable. Using cloth diapers have a variety of positive effects, both on babies and on the environment. It is estimated that cloth nappies only take around six months to degrade in landfill sites, and now that they can be bought with poppers and Velcro, parents don’t need to worry about using safety pins; increasingly, cloth diapers are being produced with waterproof exteriors as well. Also, it is sometimes alleged that babies who wear disposable nappies take longer to toilet train, as the material prevents them from realising when they are wet. Various studies have been conducted comparing the risks to the environment of cleaning cloth nappies with hot water and chemicals to disposable ones; one study in 2005 assessed that the environmental cost of washing cloth diapers equalled the cost of disposable nappies. Yet, the inconsistencies in this study have lead to it being widely debunked, with most scientists estimating that the cost of washing cloth nappies in 60 degree cycles is far more environmentally friendly.

Early 2006 saw the first "Real Diaper Week", organised by the Women's Environmental Network (WEN). Spokesperson Elizabeth Hartigan says of cloth nappies, "They save waste and can save parents money," as well as being the best eco-friendly option. As the battle continues, it seems clear that parents need to be more aware of the options that face them regarding nappies for their children; for example, there are a selection of semi-ecological disposable nappies, priced similarly to regular disposables, which are far better for the environment. These, as well as a selection of re-usable nappies are available from a range of high street shops and baby care specialists, like Mothercare, so parents will find them easy to access.

Michael is a keen writer living in Edinburgh. Michael's Website: Taxis Belfast