Like several thousand other Irish parents, I have been buying biodegradable nappies with the worthy but unrealised intention of composting them. They can be broken down in vermicomposters, which are essentially compost bins with a population of worms added.
A small urban garden and a busy schedule have laid waste to my plan, but some parents have successfully consigned their nappies to the earth. Amy King from Tipperary has built a 3m x 1.1m covered wood-and-brick worm farm in her back garden into which she throws baby Gracie's biodegradable nappies.
"Gracie is 20 months old now and we've never had an overflow - the worms are getting through her nappies and we never really go near them," Amy explains. "If I had the stomach to mix it about a bit, the nappies would break down even faster. It produces excellent compost. We used it to grow sweetcorn this year."
Getting the worm farm to compost at its optimal level took 12 months, according to Amy, so a bit of patience is required. "If you can put in the time and effort, it's well worth it," she says. "You won't believe what it does for your roses."
Amy is delighted with this solution, although she admits it's not for everyone. "We have plenty of space here. We have put the worm farm where it's not in the way. I can't imagine having a 12 foot long wormery in an urban garden."
She still recommends biodegradables over regular disposables. "Even if you put them in a biodegradable refuse sack in the wheelie bin, it's still a big help to the environment," she reckons. "At least they will biodegrade within a reasonable time in landfill and add fewer harmful chemicals to the soil in the process."
Pros:
Even if they end up in landfill, biodegradable nappies are a lot easier on the environment. Use them in conjunction with biodegradable refuse sacks/nappy bags
Because biodegradables are usually unbleached, they are an excellent option for babies with sensitive skin
If you can get a vermicomposter going, you can reduce your waste enormously and produce high quality compost. For information on composting nappies, contact your local county council environment office or visit www.ecobaby.ie
Cons:
At prices from 17 for a box of 44, biodegradable nappies are more expensive than regular disposables.
Ecobaby, 1850 52 52 53, www.ecobaby.ie
