WatchingThePlanet.org

The 'cloth versus disposable' nappies argument provokes the same debate time and time again, with sceptics suggesting that cloth nappies are equally expensive and just as bad for the planet as disposables (based on the notion that washing them counteracts any good.) So, here are a few snippets of information to help clear things up a little!

Cloth Nappies are more environmentally friendly than disposables, even when you take the use of the washing machine into consideration. Britain alone throws away 8 million disposable nappies a day (3 billion a year) and we're knocking down 5 million trees a year just to keep babies in disposable nappies. That's a lot of nappies to be sitting around in landfill, and they'll still be there up to 500 years from now. In fact every single disposable nappy that has ever been made is still sitting in a landfill somewhere on our planet.

So it doesn't take a genius to work out that cloth nappies are a better option for the planet, but what about the money side of things? Well, here's the thing; based on an average of nappies being used for 2 and a half years, disposables will cost you over £1000. That's for one child. If you have another child, you'll have to fork out another £1000. Cloth nappies on the other hand will cost around £400, including the laundry costs. Oh, and when your second child comes along, you can use them again, which brings the cost down to £200 a child.

Cloth nappies are not even difficult to use these days. In fact they are just as convenient as disposables. There are so many options, with Velcro and popper fastenings to make it even easier, and not enough space to list them here, but you definitely won't be struggling with safety pins! Just do a little research online to find out more ' www.teamlollipop.co.uk is a good place to start.

And, although cloth nappies can be a bit bulkier than disposables, it's quite easy to find clothes that fit over them, without having to buy a size up. Frugi, for example, sells organic baby clothes that are specifically 'Cut4Cloth' (the whole company started 5 years ago specializing in clothes to fit cloth nappies, and they now sell kids clothes as well.)

So it's a bit of a no-brainer really; cloth nappies are better for the environment, cheaper, easy to use and they look very cute as well!

About the Author:

Henrietta Copeland is the e-commerce manager for a Cornish based organic childrenswear company, Frugi. Originally called Cut4Cloth, Frugi began 5 years ago specialising in baby clothes to fit cloth nappies. Since then their collection has expanded to include childrenswear and breastfeeding clothes for mothers.