One of the biggest barriers to using cloth nappies is the perceived ‘extra work’ cloth nappy laundry seems to be.
Disposable nappies are then generally touted as the most convenient option because ‘you can put it all in the bin and forget about it’.
I’m not anti-disposable, in fact I believe there is a place for disposable use, just as there is a use for disposable plates and cutlery at different situations.
Anyhow, when a baby does a number 2 in any nappy, have you thought about where the waste should end up?
In the bin? or in the toilet?
“But I use disposable nappies, I don’t need to worry about that problem.”
Ok. If you have a packet of disposables, please spare a minute, go and grab the packet or box, have a look at the instructions for use and disposal.
Where do they recommend the waste to go? Into the toilet, of course!
“Are you sure? Everyone I know just rolls them up and chucks them in the bin.”
Yeah I know that. However did you know that in most council and shire regulations it is an offense to dispose of human waste in the bin?
If the packet recommends flushing waste into the toilet, and the law is against throwing waste in the bin, why are we doing the opposite?
For most reusable nappy users, where waste goes is a no brainer as it all needs to be rinsed out with a nappy sprayer, or flushed down the toilet with a flushable liner, before the nappies are drypailed until wash day. Flushable liners are convenient when going out for all nappy users as there is no need to carry a dirty nappy around.
Disposable nappy users can also do the same by rinsing and/or using a flushable liner.
In fact by doing this, it keeps solid waste out of landfills, and it is good practice before deciding to switch to cloth nappies.
A friend of mine mentioned that she washed all pooey disposable nappies after her toddler had a messy incident with the nappy bin.
She remarked, “The bin actually doesn’t smell too bad any more, and definitely no more messes if the toddler goes into the bin again.”
What do you do? Does waste go in the bin or into the toilet?
Definitely to to toilet!!!
After I switched to cloth nappies I couldn’t bear the idea of throwing the “mess” into dustbin even I do use nappy liner or disposable occasionally. I will asked whoever that help to clean my boy’s bottom to leave the nappy or disposable aside and I’ll go and clean them up before go into the pail or the dustbin. For me it’s the same routine and I feel so bad if I see someone just roll up the disposable and throw like that… I always tell myself what happen to the mess since the plastic is not biodegradable…
Love this post, Bec! It’s a HUGE REMINDER to everyone…