Compostable disposable nappies

SusanCarter

Does anybody know what brands of compostable disposable nappies there are and also if any of them do free samples?

I'm intending to use washables but would like to have some disposables for occasional use and also for in hospital as you have to provide your own nappies and I don't fancy having to deal with washables while I'm in there.

Also, does anyone know how long they take to compost or have any links to information on this as my husband is concerned that it would be unhygienic to put dirty nappies in the compost heap as they would have germs in them. I did point out the composting toilet on "It's not easy being green" but I think he needs a bit more convincing.

Justie

not tried any of them so can't verify the claims but have a look at

https://www.naturebotts.co.uk/faqs/index.htm

https://www.ecobaby.co.uk

https://www.thenappylady.co.uk

mrbrightside842

Spirit of nature do a free sample and the nappies are good, http://www.spiritofnature.co.uk/acatalog/moltexnappies.html you can get a sample here. I haven't posted it on the freebie board as I wouldn't want it abused as the company would not be able to afford it, but they're there for people who are geniunely interested in eco nappies, hence why I'm posting it here

bargainquest

Moltex OKO nappies are compostable - our friends used them. They are available mail order from Little Green Earthlets (not sure of exact web address as I could get them from a local organic supermarket).

I have always used Nature Baby nappies from Boots and Sainsbury's but I don't think they are compostable despite being more environmentally friendly.

cazrobinson

the nature baby uses cornstarch instead of plastics, but it's the gel inside which is not compostable - in all nappies. this core is what concerns most enviromentalists as this is a man-made gel which draws water to itself all the time to make superabsorbant nappies. this gel doesn't break down in composting or in landfill and keeps on absorbing water and alledgedly leaching chemicals into the water system.

the only truely enviromentally friendly way of dressing your baby's bottom is by using washable nappies. made from cotton, bamboo or hemp, these fibres once used (over and over) as nappies, can be broken down in composting. you can also buy organic fibre nappies which don't use chemicals at the beginning of the nappies life.

for more upto date info see: https://www.wen.org.uk

the most enviromentally friendly way of potty training is by training from birth - and is the method prefered in most developing countries.

: )

Caz

SusanCarter

cazrobinson wrote:

the most enviromentally friendly way of potty training is by training from birth - and is the method prefered in most developing countries.

I do intend to try to practice EC some of the time but given our current culture, I don't expect to be able to do it 100% so am trying to be prepared for all possibilities. I did start a thread on it but unfortunately for some inexplicable reason it was merged with a "real nappy" thread.

cazrobinson

going back to your original question: if your going to use washables in hospital - just bag them up and ask someone to take them home for you to wash. i did this and hubby was okay with it (new baby poo is easy to get rid of!! just chuck it in the washing machine.

to do EC you need to be with baby all the time from birth to at least 6mths. i haven't done it myself (back to work by then), but one tip i was given was to have lots of empty ice-cream tubs around the house to catch the inevitable, and after practise you can guess when they need to go and then they can tell you when they need to go. i wish i had tried it - think of how much money could be saved in not buying wipes and nappies!!!

i do think nappies get in the way of potty training - when my youngest had a sore bot not too long ago, she went with out nappy and started to copy her older brother by using the potty!!! since then we have been a bit lazy and put her back in washables (she's 19 mths!!).

good luck with the birth,
Caz

jud!th

moltex are supposed to be partly compostable but we put them in our wormery and they didn't break down much...

We still buy them in preference to other brands if we're wanting to use disposables for a few days.

you shouldn't put the poo of a carnivore in the compost heap, apparently, but milk-fed baby poo is fine I don't know where I heard that, but that's what we do!

We don't use nappy bags so that even though we put moltex in the bin now, at least there's not another layer to break down before the nappy starts breaking down.

With our second baby we made the most of the big discount coupons they gave us for the big brands, plus the freebies from bounty packs, and ended up using a couple of packs of cheap newborn nappies from the big brands (newborn sizes very cheap to try to get you committed to buying their brand) before starting her on the washables.

hope this helps

Judith
x

earthmother

We use Moltex - found them to be the best of the eco brands for us - and better than Pampers and Huggies on performance.

They're very good at odour control (sometimes a little too good, lol), and great for preventing nappy rash - I've had to use cream three times in 10.5 months - and that was only because I ran out of chamomile and honey solution for the washable wipes.


We don't compost as we don't have the facility to (some councils will take them in the 'green waste' so worth asking), but I do know of those who do successfully (most efficient in a wormery - apparently takes about 8-9 weeks).

If you're using them all the time, you'll need a site a few yards square, but if it's only for nightime or occasional use, a wormery or standard compost bin should be able to handle it - the only part that won't break down is the resealable tabs.

As said, Spirit of Nature will give you single pair samples for free, and So Organic and Naturebotts will send 4 pair packs for postage costs (these aren't just available for Moltex by the way - also Bambo, Tushies (gel-free) and others).

Many wholefood/organic shops sell them, and I am told some Lloyds Pharmacies will order them (although I had no joy with that route). You can also get them from NCT stores I believe.

It may be worth tracking down your local real nappy supplier, as they often hold them - a little pricier than online, but in my experience cheaper than the organic shops, and you don't have to buy several packs at once.




Edit - link regarding nappy vermicomposting - including links at the end on how to build your own (dimensions required etc) - http://www.ecobaby.ie/composting/vermicompost01.htm

hardworkingmummy

I use Moltex oko overnight, and if I go away. They sell them on purenappies.com and there is a discount for three or more packs ordered at the same time. This saves on P&P and its usually next day delivery.

I do put moltex in my compost bin along with veg peelings etc (but no poo) and they are fully compostable - but you have to use a compost accellerator and it takes about 4-5 months (it is advertised as 12 weeks)

anta

Is it possible to buy Moltex in 'normal' stores, not internet? Or any other eco nappies? I found onlu Nature babycare nppies in Boots, are any other (I'm particulary interested in Moltex) available in-stores?