The environmentally friendly baby care company Pura has revealed that around 3000 kg of used nappy and hygiene product waste from Bristol homes and businesses has been collected as part of a trial—the first of its kind in England.
This is the equivalent of saving 14,400 nappies from the landfill by turning them into materials like panelling, notice boards, road surfaces, and insulation for laminate flooring and other insulation.
Beginning at the beginning of July, a six-month trial will see curb side collection of baby products and other hygiene items like sanitary towels, recycled, and repurposed. The Bristol area is initially providing free curb side nappy collections to 47 families and one day-care group, with waste collection services provided by Natural UK. The used nappies are being transported to NappiCycle’s plant in Wales, where they are cleansed and plastics and cellulose fibres are separated for re-use.
The project is funded by Pura and supported in an awareness drive by well-known supermarket brand Asda.
Jessi, mum of one and participant in the trial said: “The trial has been very easy so far; you just keep your nappies and pop them in the bin bag provided. I have had to change very little, and I get to feel good about helping the planet. I would love to continue having my nappies recycled after the trial.”
Whilst another, Molly, also a mum of one, added: “Knowing that our waste is being recycled is fantastic as we have had such guilt about using nappies with the current climate crisis. We are so thankful that we have been able to take part and hope it continues.”
Guy Fennell, Pura founder commented: “We’ve calculated that if the 3bn nappies used each year in the UK were 100% recycled, it would be the same as removing 72,000 cars from our roads annually. We know that nappy collection and recycling works, but it requires investment and legislation change to roll out the service outside of Wales.”
The findings of the trial will be used to inform conversations with DEFRA and local authorities throughout the UK about the feasibility and benefits of nappy cycling. Costs and carbon impact will be among the outcomes monitored.
