How to be a sustainable parent

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.