Debate contribution: Disposable Nappies: Collection and Recycling Scheme

Debate contribution by Mr John Blair on 27 January 2025.

MLA

Mr John Blair

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

27 January 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Disposable Nappies: Collection and Recycling Scheme

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4759292

Read the official Assembly record

Text

The debate is about an undeniably significant issue as we strive for a cleaner and more sustainable environment. I thank the proposer of the motion and her colleagues for bringing it to the House and highlighting a very important issue. I suspect that, as I speak, there will be a lot of similarity between what I will say and what the proposer has said, which, in fairness, does not happen often on environmental matters, but I am genuinely pleased that it is likely to happen today. Hopefully, it might lead us to an agreed position at the end of the debate. I will highlight a pathway to that as we go. It is well documented that disposable nappies account for approximately 4% of the residual waste in Northern Ireland. The statistic might seem small, but it translates into a substantial impact on our waste management systems and environmental footprint. Every parent and carer recognises the necessity of those products for their children's health and well-being. However, while they may be convenient, we must confront the significant environmental consequences associated with their entire life cycle. In the UK, approximately 3·6 billion nappies are used each year, with around 78% of those being incinerated and as much as 22% ending up in landfill. The materials used to make the nappies, which include a significant amount of plastic, can take hundreds of years to decompose naturally. Research from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) shows that improvements in the production of disposable nappies have resulted in a 27% reduction in their carbon footprint. While that is a commendable achievement, it is vital to recognise that using disposable nappies for just two and a half years for one child is the equivalent of driving a car for more than 1,600 miles. That highlights the urgent need for innovation in the industry and our responsibility to seek out more sustainable alternatives. The Alliance Party supports the intention and sentiment behind the motion. However, there is a clear factual inaccuracy in the original motion that the Alliance amendment would correct. The original motion — I will refer to it again briefly later — mistakenly states:

"that proposals to address disposable nappies and other absorbent hygiene products were not included in the recent Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs consultation, 'Rethinking Our Resources".

A closer examination reveals that the proposals are, in fact, acknowledged under proposal number 12 in that document, which states:

" Non-Statutory Guidance will be provided to councils to expand the opportunities to recycle more materials and to embed best practice in existing services."

It includes:

"absorbent hygiene products such as nappies and incontinence pads".

By accurately understanding the consultation, we can highlight the critical need for a coordinated effort between DAERA and local councils. However, it is essential to underscore the significant responsibility that councils hold to collaborate effectively on the issue. The Department's role is to assist councils through programmes and initiatives designed to minimise the recyclable materials diverted to landfill or incineration as a result of disposable nappy use.

Yes.

I thank the Member for her intervention. I will come to that point later. At this stage, I will point out that the motion does not mention the word "statutory". It talks about developing a strategy, and we know — I will refer to it later — that the Department is already bringing forward a waste management strategy. We need to be clear that councils and their waste management structures need to lead and ensure consistency in waste management. Any change or proposals regarding the structures is a separate matter altogether. Perhaps we all, as we scrutinise the issues in this place, can work with local government colleagues to ensure frameworks and outcomes that fit with the recycling targets and are appropriate for the 21st century and its challenges. Around the world, collaborative and innovative actions are being taken to address the issue for the sake of our environment. For example, as was referenced, Wales, a leader in recycling, is trialling the use of the fibres from disposable nappies to create roads. Such initiatives provide opportunities to explore best practice on a broader basis and develop effective strategies for recycling disposable nappies, all while meeting our net zero targets and enhancing our circular economy. In considering the broader context, our primary objective should be to fully eliminate single-use plastics, which include disposable nappies. After reaching out to the Minister in September past, I was informed that his Department is working with other UK nations to implement a ban on the supply and sale of wet wipes containing plastics and that that would apply throughout the UK. Promoting reusable nappies falls or should fall within that initiative. The alternatives have the potential not only to lessen an environmentally damaging footprint but to provide significant financial advantages for families in the long run. Similar to how consumer habits are being shaped by the Department through initiatives like the plastic bag charge and restrictions on disposable vapes, reusable nappy products ought to be advocated as a practical substitute for disposables. While, as I said at the start, Alliance supports the intention and sentiment of the motion to improve the collection and recycling of nappies, given its factual inaccuracies regarding consultation, we cannot fully support it without our amendment. I contend genuinely that the amendment rectifies that. I point out again that the motion makes no reference to statutory provision at all and references a strategy that is already on the way. My Alliance colleagues and I look forward to reviewing the Department's long-awaited waste management strategy, due to be published this year. I am confident that it will begin to address the issues highlighted in the motion, particularly as regards improving our waste management systems, adopting innovative recycling solutions and promoting sustainability in our communities. In the meantime, I hope that the proposer of the motion and her colleagues can accept our amendment for the reasons outlined. The two positions are not far apart. There is an opportunity today to move forward together on the issue.

1,016 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

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Assessed 21 October 2026 at 11:51 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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