Nappy waste in Brisbane

Use this page to find out how to reduce nappy waste to landfill in Brisbane.

Every child will need their nappy changed at least 6500 times in their life. Disposable nappies cost parents and carers up to $2700 more than reusable nappies and generate up to 20 full wheelie bins of waste that end up in landfill where they'll take hundreds of years to break down.

How can you reduce disposable nappy waste?

Choose reusable cloth nappies over disposable nappies to reduce waste to landfill and save money.

The best time to start thinking about nappy waste is when you're expecting a child.

Use these tips to help prevent nappy waste

Attend a workshop - look for a cloth nappy workshop online to find out more about reusable nappies before making a purchase.
Find or host a 'nappaccino' – a free event where parents-to-be gather for coffee. An experienced cloth nappy user demonstrates how to use cloth nappies and answers questions. Your local community group might be interested in hosting its own cloth nappy workshop. The Australian Nappy Association has a workshop information pack available for purchase.
Ask friends and family for a reusable nappy pack as a baby shower or baby gift.
Talk to your maternity unit and midwife about using reusable nappies from birth.
Ask your childcare centre if they support the use of reusable nappies. The Australian Nappy Association provides free resources to support childcare centres.
Choose reusable cloth wipes over single use wipes.
Buy smart (for your pocket and the environment) by:
- choosing high quality items that are made locally and can be adjusted as your child grows
- selecting natural fibres and materials such as cotton, bamboo and hemp. These materials can be reused and composted when they're no longer usable
- purchasing cloth nappies from a retailer who is a member of the Australian Nappy Association.
If you have an excess of unused disposable nappies, donate them to The Nappy Collective to help families in crisis.

Learn how to reuse/circulate reusable nappies

Sell or donate your reusable cloth nappies:
- online using Facebook Marketplace or Gumtree
- at your local op shop or charity store. Check first if cloth nappies are accepted
- to organisations that help deliver cloth nappies to families in need:
Repurpose traditional cloth nappies (that are not suitable for sale or donation) as cleaning cloths to use around the home.

Find out more on reuse and circulation from the Australian Nappy Association website.

Recycling options for reusable nappies

Compost cloth nappies. Textiles made from natural fibres such as cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, wool and silk can be composted at home or added to your worm farm. Cut them up into small pieces first. Find out more at Textile Beat.
Send cloth nappies back to the retailer or manufacturer if they have a cloth nappy recycling program.

Impacts of disposable nappies

Cost

Over a child's nappy wearing years, disposable nappies cost significantly more than reusable cloth nappies:
- a set of terry towelling nappies or 'flats' costs around $100-300;
- a set of modern cloth nappies costs around $500-1000
- disposable nappies for a baby/toddler costs around $3000.

Resources

Disposable nappies require large volumes of pulp, paper, plastic and other raw materials during manufacturing. Significant amounts of water and energy are also used.

Landfill

Disposable nappies make up 6% of Brisbane's average household general waste bin. When sent to landfill, these nappies produce greenhouse gas emissions.

Global target

By 2030, to substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse¹.