Your Guide to Eco Baby Wipes
The biggest problem with conventional baby wipes is that they are made of plastic. They not only causing havoc on the environment, but also in our sewage system…
Did you know majority of single-use baby wipes are made of plastic (polypropylene or polyester) and can take 100 years to biodegrade? Many of them are also being flushed down the toilet or ending up in our oceans which is very problematic.
UK Water revealed 93% of the material causing blocked drains was due to disposable wipes. Similarly, Sydney Water showed 75% of their sewer blockages were due to wipes. Over time, the plastic remnants of these wipes can also end up in our oceans, threatening marine life and the human food chain because its often mistaken as food.
What do we need to know about baby wipes:
1. There are 3 kinds of baby wipes – reusable, disposable and biodegradable.
REUSABLE – Similar to cloth nappies that are more cost effective, have less environmental impact and are chemical-free. Basically a small piece of fabric made of bamboo, cotton or hemp (best choices) that you wash after every use.
DISPOSABLE – Your conventional baby wipe that is often made of plastic fibres for sensitive or not-so-sensitive skin (check the ingredient list). It takes a very long time to biodegrade and is not flushable.
BIODEGRADABLE – There are MANY biodegradable baby wipes on the market. They are often made of 99% water and organic fibres, but are still not flushable. It is best to throw these in your compost heap.
2. Although many brands are labelling their wipes as “flushable”, the general consensus is that you still shouldn’t! Whether your wipes are fully biodegradable or not.
3. Conclusion
Choose a baby wipe that works best for baby and the planet. We suggest an eco-friendly brand that is organic, biodegradable and chemical-free.
