Eco-friendly baby care company Pura says its “first-of-its-kind” recycling trial in England collected almost 3000kg of nappy and hygiene product waste from Bristol households and businesses to be repurposed.
Pura says this is the equivalent of around 14,400 nappies turned into useful materials such as road surfaces notice boards, panelling, insulation under laminate flooring and other insulation.
The 6-month trial, which involves the kerbside collection of baby products and other hygiene items, such as sanitary towels, to be recycled and repurposed, began at the beginning of July.
Initially, Pura says 47 households and one nursery group in the Bristol area are offered free kerbside nappy collections, with waste collection services provided by Natural UK. The used nappies are then transported to NappiCycle’s plant in Wales, where they’re cleansed and plastics and cellulose fibres are separated for re-use, the company says.
The project is funded by Pura and supported by an awareness drive by the well-known supermarket brand Asda.
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.
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.”
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.”
Pura says 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.
Pura founder, Guy Fennell, said: “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.”
