Group of babies descends on Parliament Square to protest single-use nappies

01 July 2023 , 09:07
709     0
Ten million nappies are sent to landfill every day in the UK (Image: Cover Images)
Ten million nappies are sent to landfill every day in the UK (Image: Cover Images)

An unusual protest saw a group of babies descend on Parliament Square – to raise awareness of the devastating impact of single-use nappies on their future.

The mini revolutionaries accompanied their mums and dads to the demonstration, with the parents waving placards bearing messages such as “Power to the PEE-ple”, “Our future’s not disposable”, and “It’s my planet and I’ll cry if I want to”.

The protest came as new research revealed that 10 million single-use nappies are sent to landfill in the UK every single day – equating to 3.6 billion over the course of a year.

And a whopping 92% of parents are worried about the impact this plastic waste could have on their child's future, according to a poll of 1,500 mums and dads, with children under the age of 10.

In fact, almost half of the parents polled (48%) were more concerned about the impact of plastic waste, than their child’s education or future career prospects.

Baby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him eidqidrrierinvBaby boy has spent his life in hospital as doctors are 'scared' to discharge him
Group of babies descends on Parliament Square to protest single-use nappiesParents could save up to £700, and reduce their carbon footprint by 40%, by switching to reusable nappies (Cover Images)

On learning how many single-use nappies are sent to landfill, or incinerated, each day in the UK, 86% of the parents said the government needs to be doing more to tackle nappy waste.

And 87% said they would have chosen reusable nappies for their baby, if they had been recommended by a midwife or hospital.

Guy Schanschieff, founder of Bambino Mio, which commissioned the research, said: “Single-use nappies are 70% plastic, and with such a huge number being thrown away every day, the future we’re making for the next generation is getting messier by the minute. It’s our responsibility to change things now.”

Elisabeth Whitebread, Head of Purpose at Bambino Mio, added: “Bambino Mio is determined to clear up the mess caused by single-use nappies.

“We’re starting from the bottom up by supporting parents with a sustainable alternative to single-use nappies, which are currently the biggest contributor to household waste for parents with children under two.

“Put simply – nappies are a necessity, but the plastic waste they cause doesn’t have to be.”

Parents who switch to reusable nappies could reduce their carbon footprint by up to 40%, and save up to £700 during their child’s nappy-wearing years.

To find out more about how to support the reusable revolution, and get started on your journey with reusables, visit here.

Sarah Lumley

Environment, Plastic waste, Parenting, Babies

Read more similar news:

01.02.2023, 02:31 • Crime
Tragedy as 13-month-old boy dies after the stolen car he was in crashed
01.02.2023, 05:53 • Crime
Outrage as abandoned baby found in pram on beach, with mum off for a coffee
01.02.2023, 08:41 • More
Death fears for Emmerdale's Sarah as teen rushed to A&E after exposing secret
01.02.2023, 11:30 • News
'My hubby wants to name our baby after his mum but her beliefs are too extreme'
01.02.2023, 11:37 • News
'I gave my baby an extravagant Disney name - cruel trolls mocked me for it'
01.02.2023, 12:00 • More
Phillip Schofield mocks Molly-Mae's baby name in cruel swipe at Love Island star
01.02.2023, 12:40 • News
'I tricked my sister into giving her baby a stupid name - she had it coming'
01.02.2023, 14:46 • News
'My wife thinks naming our baby after manga character will bring them bad luck'
01.02.2023, 14:48 • More
Parents leave baby at airport check-in to avoid paying more for Ryanair flight
01.02.2023, 15:44 • News
'I was mum-shamed for my baby's outfit while shopping - it was so humiliating'