How to reduce nappy/diaper waste in Brisbane

Learn about how to reduce diaper/nappy waste to landfill in Brisbane.

Every child will need their nappy changed at least 6500 times in their life. Disposable nappies cost up to $2700 more than reusable ones. They create up to 20 wheelie bins of waste that takes hundreds of years to break down.

How can you reduce disposable diaper waste?

Choose reusable cloth nappies over disposable nappies to reduce waste to landfill and save money.

The best time to start thinking about nappy waste is when you're expecting a child. 

1. Prevent - Buy smart by choosing reusable cloth nappies and wipes.

Use these tips to help prevent nappy waste.

• Attend a workshop online to learn about reusable nappies before buying.
• Find or host a 'nappaccino' – a free event where soon-to-be parents meet for coffee. An experienced cloth nappy user shows how to use reusable nappies and answers questions. Your local community group might want to host its own fabric nappy workshop. The Australian Nappy Association has a workshop information pack available to buy.
• Ask friends and family for a reusable nappy pack as a baby shower or baby gift.
• Talk to your maternity unit and midwife about using reusable nappies from birth.
• Ask your childcare centre if they support the use of reusable nappies. The Australian Nappy Association offers free resources to help childcare centers.
• Choose reusable cloth wipes over single use wipes. 
• Buy smart (for your pocket and the environment) by:
  • choosing high quality items that are made locally and can be adjusted as your child grows
  • selecting natural fibres and materials such as cotton, bamboo and hemp. These materials can be reused and composted when they're no longer usable
  • purchasing cloth nappies from a retailer who is a member of the Australian Nappy Association.
• If you have an excess of unused disposable nappies, consider donating them.

2. Reuse and circulate - Sell/donate cloth nappies or repurpose.

Learn how to reuse/circulate reusable nappies.

• Sell or donate your reusable cloth nappies:
  • online using Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree
  • at your local op shop or charity store. First, see if they accept reusable nappies
  • to organisations that help deliver cloth nappies to families in need such as Cloth Community Fund Australia.
• Use old fabric nappies that you can’t sell or donate as cleaning cloths at home.

Learn more on nappie reuse and circulation from the Australian Nappy Association website.

3. Recycle - Compost or return for recycling.

Recycling options for reusable nappies.

• Compost cloth nappies. Compost textiles made from natural fibers like cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, wool, and silk at home or add them to your worm farm. Cut them up into small pieces first. Discover more at Textile Beat.
• Send cloth nappies back to the seller if they have a reusable nappy recycling program.