ARTICLES OF INTEREST

The Government must act now to address single-use nappies

We have a unique opportunity to tackle a significant single-use plastic – but the government must act now.
The single-use products that we use around the home make up a huge proportion of the waste that ends up in our bins at the end of the week. In the last decade, we have taken strides as a community to understand what happens to these products once we throw them away.

Reusable Nappies in the Climate Change Debate

During the Climate Change Debate on Channel 4, Plaid Cymru leader Adam Price references reusable nappies, which reflects growing cross-party recognition of the impact of disposable nappies on waste streams and plastic contamination and the desire to promote the benefits of reusable nappies. Check out the video on the right

Why biodegradable nappies might not be as eco-friendly as you think

Our survey results show that 35% of parents who buy biodegradable nappies choose them because they think they’re better for the environment*. But can you be sure that they’re greener than non-biodegradable nappies? To find out more, we spoke to experts Dr Charlotte Lloyd, Royal Society research fellow at the University of Bristol, and Dr Sarah West, director of the Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York.

Plastic: Disposable Single Use v Cloth Nappies

Whilst many folks focus entirely on the waste issue of single use plastic, it is the over consumption of finite resources that is the actual issue. Waste is simply the by-product of this over consumption. Consumers are now starting to switch on more and more to the issue of plastic waste, however many are still looking for excuses not…

Real nappies Bill launched in Hackney

The Bill is being brought forward by David Linden MP and is supported by local MP Meg Hillier, and alongside a system wide change in nappy manufacture the Bill contains an incentive for local authorities across the UK to provide reusable nappy vouchers and more information for parents.

House of Commons Roundtable Event

The House of Commons roundtable, attended by a cross-party group of MPs, civil servants, NHS midwives and mums, met to discuss the Nappies (Environmental Standards) Bill launched by David Linden MP which aims to reduce single-use plastics in disposable nappies and cut costs for local government and young families.

“Biodegradable” Plastics: A Myth of Marketing?

When compared to their petroleum based counterparts, bioplastics can be biodegradable, sustainable, more environmentally friendly (lower greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel usage) and/or should be a renewable option to plastic product production. Despite certain limitations, bioplastics remain a front runner…

What you need to know about plant-based plastics

More than eighteen trillion pounds of plastic have been produced to date, and eighteen billion pounds of plastic flows into the ocean every year. It ensnares the marine animals we cherish and the fish we put on our plates, it appears in the table salt we use, and it’s even found in our own bodies.

The environmental and economic costs of single-use plastic products

A pioneer study was carried out via Zero Waste Europe and Rezero to investigate and analyse the environmental impact and economic costs of single-use menstrual products, baby nappies and wet wipes across Europe. The report shines a light on the fact that single-use products such as disposable nappies and wet wipes are being heavily used and promoted in the European market on an ongoing basis, despite not being designed to be reused, composted, or recycled efficiently. This report hones in on one of the main objectives of the EU 2020 Strategy, which aims to generate smart, sustainable and inclusive management of resources.

The Myths of Biodegradable Waste

Oh yes, “biodegradable waste” is a huge fallacy for most homes. And although it seems like everything is marked “biodegradable” anymore, even styrofoam derived from corn, we’re far from being in the clear by opting for it over other options.

Biodegradable plastic ‘false solution’ for ocean waste problem

Greener plastics that breakdown in the environment have been marketed as a sustainable alternative that could reduce the vast amount of plastic waste that ends up in the sea after being dumped. But Jacqueline McGlade, chief scientist at the UN Environment Programme, told the Guardian that these biodegradable…

Debunking the compostable myth

In the wake of the Blue Planet Effect, the world is on a plastic detox. From for plastic-free supermarkets to the world’s first plastic-free aisle, the war on plastics is on. UK businesses are also jumping on the bandwagon, with more than 40 companies recently signing the new Plastics Pact to eliminate single-use packaging.