Possible “nappy tax” on disposables

I seem to recall that even with 2 of the good old terry nappies at night, folded into the ‘kite shape’, my dd1 was still sodden in the morning, so I’m not sure how the much smaller new cloth nappies would have coped.

Which takes us to another 'angle' of disposables. Isn't one of the reasons that 3billion nappies a year go to landfill that babies don't get toilet trained as early as ours did? We were keen to dispense with those terry nappies as soon as we could.
And the 'wetness' was quite helpful when we were toilet training. How does a toddler even know that they've wet themselves when the disposable nappy they're wearing wicks all the wet away and leaves them feeling dry?

Back in the early 70s I had shaped nappies that fitted with one pin. Like *Nonogran. I used nappy liners. I had a bucket of disinfectant which would hold two days of dirty nappies, then put them in the washing machine for a 90 degree wash. They dried quickly and 2 dozen nappies saw me through two children's nappy days. I occasionally used a double nappy at night. they did, of course have plastic pants over them.

Disposables, were such a bind, I used them on holiday, bulky to buy, bulky to store and horrible to get rid of.

My kids were in nappies in the late 80s early 90s when disposables were certainly popular. There were no worries about storage because they were delivered as and when needed by John Lewis or enterprising small businesses.
The only times used the towelling ones our son got a very sore nappy rash.

At least today mums have decent washing machine and central heating or dryers for drying them so why are they complaining. I had no washing machine and no central heating for drying, when I had my first and I went out to work, now that is hard work. Of course we should discourage the use of disposable nappies and such like there are products on the market but they need to be affordable , maybe vat free

Unfortunately this nappy tax if it were to be introduced would affect the poorest in society, those without a washing machine or tumble drier, those living in small/cramped accommodation with no outside drying facilities. These mums are already struggling on a variety of levels, what would they have to give up to keep their babies hygienic and clean?

A far better option in my opinion would be for these big companies to invent and then produce eco friendly disposal nappies, win win situation surely?

Unfortunately this nappy tax if it were to be introduced would affect the poorest in society, those without a washing machine or tumble drier, those living in small/cramped accommodation with no outside drying facilities.

I wonder why they are living tis way, GG13* ? I think there could well be a political solution to this problem s well as a technological one...

But concern for removing inequalities and lifting people out of poverty isn't a feature of our current government, is it?

We have just used a washing machine, one of a set of three outside a supermarket in France. It took 47 minutes (precisely) and because they were industrial washers they spun the washing nearly dry, just needed a bit of airing. We used the 18 kilo load machine( there was also an 8 kilo machine) as we had the bedding from 6 beds plus towels, but a couple of families could share a load.

I know it is a cliche to say see life in solutions not problems, but when anybody introduces any idea that would ameliorate any of the problems facing the work, you can virtually guarantee that someone will pour ice cold water on the suggestion 'because it will affect the poorest in society'.

I am with most people in seeing poverty as a problem that has to be eliminated, but, I wish those saying it would think round and suggest possible solutions. Landfill rubbish is a major problem in almost any country, nappies form a significant part of landfill and do not rot for hundreds of years. A solution needs to be found whether people are poor or rich.

I have seen a few of these in the UK and here are still lauderettes around. I used one to locally to wash a duvet.

I could suggest one solution which is to try and improve the situation for women, so not to expect that it is their job alone to solve this problem, to create a culture where we dont put pressure on women by saying well when I was a mother I worked 20 hours a day and washed 30 nappies using a spoonful of water whilst trekking up a mountain.

How do we know that disposable nappies take hundreds of years to rot down - they've only been around for 40 years or so?

And what about disabled/older people who wear incontinence pants (must be many on here) are they to wear reusables as well, with all the embarrassment and laundry that goes with them?

Galaxy

I could suggest one solution which is to try and improve the situation for women, so not to expect that it is their job alone to solve this problem, to create a culture where we dont put pressure on women by saying well when I was a mother I worked 20 hours a day and washed 30 nappies using a spoonful of water whilst trekking up a mountain.

It could be solved by everyone having a small clinical waste bin surely for sanitary products and nappies and continence support items. They already exist in hospitality and care sectors.

Spare a thought for those of us caring for an incontinent spouse. Pads are very expensive (NHS ones poor) and a landfill tax would be an added burden. Life is difficult enough!

So I have never really thought about clinical waste despite using it for years at work, this is going to sound really stupid, does clinical waste disposal mean no effect on the environment.

What difference would having a clinical waste bin make? Genuine question. How is clinical waste disposed of?

maddyone

What difference would having a clinical waste bin make? Genuine question. How is clinical waste disposed of?

It appears that clinical waste is mostly incinerated.

Adding more waste in the form of disposable nappies must add to the problem of emissions, surely? Unless there is already an effective method of scrubbing emissions to remove any toxic substances. I haven't investigated that far.

Cloth diapers have made a come back. My youngest daughter barely stop using them months ago

This goes beyond disposable diapers.
How about sanitary pads for menstruation and incontinence, salvaslips? Bed incontinence plastic pads?

We all can do something to help the environment if we use any plastic disposable items daily

The nappy tax should be put in all sanitary disposable items, not just diapers, if that was to move forward

Galaxy

So I have never really thought about clinical waste despite using it for years at work, this is going to sound really stupid, does clinical waste disposal mean no effect on the environment.

It is incinerated and if done properly should have a minimal environmental impact but that relies on modern incineration, obviously. We have quite a few modern plants in this country now or planned. Not that I am in any way an expert.

GrannySomerset, I'm sure lots of us on here can empathise

So surely you have solved it and will now be very wealthy.

I wish someone will have a list stating why it is an awful idea.

I am not convinced using energy and wash solutions to do endless washing is any better though

GrannySomerset we had to buy better incontinence products as the NHS ones meant loads of washing and sore skin , the carers used to double up the pads , then the Nurse queried our use ,
There must be a better solution , I did feel guilty every time the bin filled !

Jane it’s the mounds of “disposables” that hang about for years that’s the problem , if they could invent biodegradable pads that worked it would be such an improvement

No one gets on with the NHS ones, it is cruel. I bet I know the exact thing the nurse said too. I bet she said:

The lips on the side of the pads weren't stretched angled properly

Two pads will make the first pad not work

The net pants are supposed to hold the pad in place

She will have suggested a time for someone to be sat on the toilet so the pad doesn't get full in the night

She will suggest the carers come earlier or you get up earlier as the family/spouse carer
There will have been discussion around using a barrier cream, if you use it that's wrong, if you don't, that's also wrong

It is basically all your fault

There are reusable period products available - moon cups and washable pads, my eldest GDs have period pants which are a revelation. You can get 100% biodegradable tampons too. No reason why incontinence products couldn’t be made completely biodegradeable or be incinerated. The government should try more carrot before stick - make the environmentally friendly products much cheaper and give incentives for using them., then aim to ban the plastic ones all together apart from when medically essential.

Disposable biodegradable pads exist - they are just more expensive