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Global warming -

With global warming wreaking havoc across the planet, sustainability is a hot topic and at the forefront of many people’s minds.

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Good intentions -

Many of us try to live as sustainably as possible, for example by limiting our energy consumption and buying as responsibly as we can.

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No mean feat -

To live in a truly sustainable fashion, however, requires considerable time and energy. Sifting through all those greenwashing statements is no simple task.

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Time-poor parents -

And there is perhaps no demographic that is more time and energy poor than parents, particularly those who are working and who have young children.

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The reality -

For these people, making sustainable choices is often difficult, if not impossible. They simply do not have the resources to dedicate to making sustainable choices.

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The plastic problem -

And yet the plastic waste generated by young families is often off the chart. Plastic is simply everywhere to be found in children’s items, from bottles to wipes and diapers.

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Case in point -

Take diapers, for example. In the UK, diapers are estimated to represent 2-3% of all household waste. They are one of the biggest contributors to plastic waste globally.

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Diaper materials -

Most diapers are made of two non-biodegradable materials: a polyethylene waterproof back layer, and a polypropylene inner layer.

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Bound for landfill -

This means that when they ultimately end up in the landfill, they will remain there for a whopping 500 years or more.

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How to fix the problem -

But what exactly can be done about this? Kids need diapers; short of having fewer children, we cannot reduce demand for the product.

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Option 1 - reusable diapers -

The solution most commonly cited is to use reusable diapers, which are normally made of natural cotton, bamboo, or wool fibers.

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The advantages -

Despite any misgivings about how clean they really are, at first glance reusable diapers seem to be a good option: they significantly reduce, if not eradicate, plastic consumption.

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The caveat -

Parents should remember, however, that reusable diapers must be washed at 60°C in order to kill bacteria, and machines should not be overfilled.

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Proven problem -

Indeed, research has shown that having to wash reusable diapers in a certain way can actually negate their positive environmental impact entirely.

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Option 2 - biodegradable diapers -

The other alternative when it comes to diapers is to choose a biodegradable option. Nowadays there are plenty of eco-alternatives on the market, some at a reasonable price.

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According to the experts -

However, according to Charlotte Lloyd, environmental biogeochemist from the University of Bristol, these nappies are “completely ineffective” at reducing environmental impact.

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Partly biodegradable -

None of the biodegradable diapers on the market are completely biodegradable (nor do they claim to be).

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Difficulties with decomposition -

And the ones with the higher percentages of biodegradable materials need very specific conditions in order to biodegrade.

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Specific conditions required -

This often involves industrial hot composting facilities that are currently nowhere near widespread enough to offer a solution to the problem on a mass scale.

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Ending up in landfill -

As a result, the majority of these eco-nappies end up in landfill, where they are unable to decompose due to conditions created to prevent decomposition.

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What can we do? -

So, what can parents do to be more sustainable? A good first step is to cook meals for your family at home. Although this takes some planning, it is generally a greener option.

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Cooking at home -

Ditching the ready-to-eat meals and taking to the stove is a good way to reduce plastic consumption, as well as save yourself a few bucks!

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Buy secondhand -

Another great way to parent more sustainably is to buy second hand. Of course, it can be difficult because we all want things to be perfect and pristine for our kids.

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Buy secondhand -

Resisting the temptation and the pressure to buy everything shiny and new, however, is one of the best sustainable choices we can make.

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Travel sustainably -

Then there’s sustainable travel. If your kids are a little older, this is a great way to teach them about the environment, while having a lot of fun.

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Travel sustainably -

Next time you’re planning a trip, try and factor in biking as a way to get around. Bikes are the hallmark of sustainability, and they can travel almost everywhere a vehicle can.

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Do green laundry -

And finally there’s washing in a green way. Of course, laundry is unavoidable, and when you have kids it comes in bucket loads thick and fast.

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Do green laundry -

To wash in a sustainable way, keep temperatures low, do not use a tumble dryer, and only wash full loads. Chemical-free and refillable detergents are great as well.

Sources: (BBC) (The Mom Kind)

See also: Sustainable travel destinations around the world

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