Updated information from dcarbon8 about Ziga’s nappies for those of you who want to follow
Summary of Study by dcarbon8
To ensure that informed decisions are made right from the start, Planet Positive/Dcarbon8 is determining which is the most carbon efficient nappy for Ziga.
The information that has been used is taken from two studies by the Environment Agency in 2003 and 2008, and calculations made by the Women’s Action Network for reusable and disposable nappies.
Initial studies by the EA showed little difference between the disposable and reusable nappies. However, this was questioned and shown to be unrepresentative by WEN, as the majority of carbon emissions from reusable nappies were a resultant of the laundering energy. Less efficient machines, and increases in tumble drying would create greater emissions.
The EA released an updated study in 2008 which focuses largely on different washing/drying options. This showed that by using the most effective methods of laundering, CO2e emissions can be reduced by 40%. In addition steps by disposable nappy manufacturers had been taken to reduce the overall material usage and emissions.
Below is a summarised table of the options:
|
Nappy Type |
CO2e per nappy |
Number of nappies for 2.5 years |
CO2e over 2.5years |
|
Disposable |
0.154 |
3744 |
576 |
|
Reusable with average laundering |
18.96 |
30 |
569 |
|
Reusable with high efficient combination |
11.41 |
30 |
342 |
Someone from GreenParenting has agreed to send me some used nappies which I hope to get this week, so I will let you know how it all goes.
Guy B
22.02.09
I have decided to carry out an 18 year carbon experiment andto take my son, Ziga, Planet Positive.
Below you will see my first pass at a table for collecting data but I need some help in calculating his footprint and living Planet Positive.
I have already started collecting the data on a weekly basis but need some help in finding out some footprint data as well as getting some tips about where to buy low carbon products.
Key questions that I have
1. Should I include a partial footprint of his mother to cover his food from the breast?
2. What about the embodied footprint? I have noted some of the key items that he is using. Does anyone have any data on these?
3. At what age does he become responsible for his footprint?
4. Should I include a share of the carbon costs of hospital, health visitors, and doctor’s surgery visits?
5. What about his share of the embodied carbon of the car and other things that he shares?
6. What metrics should I be using for him and does anyone have any target data base information. I could use UK data but of course this does not take into account embodied information.
Living/Operational
Food Milk, Water
Misc Nappies, Cotton Wool
Hot water for cleaning/steaming
House Share of heating, Share of power, Car trips for him
Embodied
Clothes Baby grows, vests, shoes, hats, coat
Equipment Prams, cot
Misc Blankets
Thoughts and links to useful websites would be great and If anyone wants to join me on my journey
please let me know!
Guy
9th February 2009
