View Blog

 It is common knowledge that most brands of disposable nappies take more than 100 years to break down, which is a strain on landfills.

I hate doing laundry - so buying washable nappies was not an option I considered. Instead I use a German brand of disposable nappies called Moltex Eco (or Moltex Oko in Germany). They do not contain any chemicals, like most brands on the market, and they are therefore better for a baby's sensitive skin - and the environment. I could write a very long essay about how amazing their product is. However, they are not paying me for doing that, so the key features and benefits are as follows:

• the nappies are manufactured with more than 50% renewable resources from controlled cultivation.

• the absorbent core is 100% chlorine-free (unlike most brands). They are better for the environment because the core is unbleached and therefore there is no pollution during the manufacturing process caused by bleaching agents like chlorine (often used in conventional nappies).

• they are better for baby's skin mainly because they are free from harsh chemicals like bactericides, pesticides, deodorants, antioxidants and other unnecessary chemicals found in conventional disposable nappies. These chemicals can cause rashes and allergic reactions.

• Moltex nappies are proven to be biodegradable to a high degree in an earth worm composter (for further information on worm composting the nappies visit http://www.ecobaby.ie/composting/vermicompost01.htm). The packaging bag is also made from maize starch which is 100% biodegradable. The only widely available "environmentally friendly" brand called "Nature" is only 70% biodegradable).

• a benefit of purchasing Moltex nappies is that it gives you a halo - and you are guaranteed to feel very pleased with yourself;)

I have emailed various supermarkets in the UK to recommend that they stock Moltex nappies. However, I have not had any luck yet, so at the moment it requires a bit of organisation to get hold of them. My suppliers are: Cottontails (Oxford), Yarnton Nursery, and www.naturebods.co.uk.

I am of course very aware (especially at the end of the month) that I pay a hefty premium for environmentally friendly nappies (each nappy costs twice as much as ASDA's own brand nappies). So I very much hope that supply and demand will bring prices down before I have my second child!

Every month I then wonder why nobody is producing environmentally friendly sanitary towels. The technology clearly works, and I am confident that there is a market. I would start mass production of "green" sanitary towels if I could, as I think there is serious money to be made - provided I got the marketing right. However, I do not need to do a detailed business plan in order to appreciate that my bank manager (or anyone else) is unlikely to lend me the capital required...

So you are very welcome to "steal" the idea if you have serious spare capital and fancy being a factory owner!