Debate contribution: Disposable Nappies: Collection and Recycling Scheme

Debate contribution by Mr Robbie Butler on 27 January 2025.

MLA

Mr Robbie Butler

Party at the time

Ulster Unionist Party

Date

27 January 2025

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Private Members' Business

Heading

Disposable Nappies: Collection and Recycling Scheme

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 4759310

Read the official Assembly record

Text

The motion and the amendment recognise the significant environmental impact of disposable nappies and other absorbent hygiene products, which account for, as has been said, 4% our residual waste. There are key differences in each approach, but both have merit and deserve consideration. The motion highlights the absence of proposals in the recent 'Rethinking Our Resources' consultation to tackle the issue and calls for a comprehensive strategy led by the Minister and developed in conjunction with councils to address collection and recycling. It also emphasises promoting reusable nappies to reduce waste. The amendment, while maintaining the emphasis on reducing waste, shifts the focus towards expanding guidance to councils within the existing framework of the consultation. That would align efforts to support local authorities in recycling the products without explicitly demanding a separate strategy. Both approaches underscore the need for urgent action, recognising that a nappy collection scheme could significantly contribute to meeting, as mentioned, 74% of the 2030 recycling target, which is set out in the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022.

However, we must ensure that those efforts reflect the broader challenges facing climate action and the circular economy.

The Northern Ireland Audit Office review of waste management reminds us of the inefficiencies in our existing system. Tackling residual waste from nappies requires leadership, innovation and collaboration. We should look across other jurisdictions, including the EU and its push for ambitious strategies on single-use menstrual products, nappies and wet wipes, to inform our approach here in Northern Ireland. While I acknowledge the role of local councils, I believe that it is the Minister who must lead in addressing the issue, ensuring that resources, guidance and best practice are made available. With five children of my own, and having fostered quite a few nappy-wearing infants, I have experience of the convenience of disposable nappies and of the task of using terry towelling and safety pins. There is certainly merit in, and I understand why parents will opt for, what has been measured as being the slightly more environmentally unfriendly disposable nappies, but there is the pressure of convenience to attest to as well. We know that, in the UK, around 3·6 billion nappies are disposed of annually, with around 22% ending up in landfill. We need to tackle that and do something different. Addressing this often messy issue is not optional: it is essential to protecting our environment. As the mover of the amendment said, we could move collegiately, collaboratively and decisively to deliver a strategy that works for households, councils and, importantly, our planet.

425 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

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.

Disagree with this assessment?

Classifications can be challenged. A person reads every challenge, and any change is recorded publicly above with its reason.

Challenge this classification