4 minute read
Happier babies
Happy babies and parents
in the circular economy
Advertisement
l Eco-friendly, sustainable products for babies and mothers are popular around the world. l Now gaining traction with Hong Kong’s environmentally-aware families, reusable diapers are a colourful, interesting option. l Derek Lam, founder of Ways BB, recalls how personal experience converted him and led the way for his business startup. l 環保有機的母嬰用品受世界各地父母熱 烈追捧。 l 本港家庭日趨注重環保，有企業推出不 同顔色和花款的環保尿布。 l Derek憶述他如何從個人經歷得到啟 發，因而創辦環保嬰兒用品公司Ways
BB。
It all began in 2014 with Derek’s daughter, Elbe [pictured]. “I had to go from one small baby shop to another to find everything we needed for her. But babies grow fast and a lot was wasted so I created a second-hand baby product online platform where people like myself could buy and sell.”
The circular economy concept was suitable for durable baby products such as baby cribs, baby strollers and baby walkers and reusable diapers came next. “Our cloth diapers can be adjusted to fit any baby, from a newborn to a toddler. They create far less waste than disposables – which are said to take hundreds of years to decompose,”explains Derek. Reusables can also save you a lot of money since a baby needs only about 24 washable diapers in the early years compared to 6,000 or more disposables, he says.
Made from materials such as organic, antiseptic bamboo and organic cottons, hemp and other recycled materials, everything in Derek’s diapers except the buttons is 100% decomposable. “It will have disappeared from landfills within five years,” he says. “Our bamboo diaper inserts, when frequently washed, also become softer and are more absorbent than any made of polyester.”
Derek has trendsetters in mind too. “The cloth we choose is not only functional, it’s fashionable. Today’s parents are willing pay more for matching outfits and like to choose favourite colours or prints when they buy diapers from us.” Still, functionality is the key, and as Derek says, “The outer layer of material is both waterproof and breathable and the inner layer is soft and hypo-allergenic. That means happier babies.”
Derek is optimistic about the future. “We are currently the only distributor of this product in Hong Kong, mainland China or Taiwan. We are planning to develop our own label in future. Currently, we distribute diapers made in Qingdao under the American label, Kanga Care. We are also the agent for breastfeeding shawls, washable nursing pads, baby sleeping blankets and sleeping bags, muslin swaddles, baby bibs and play mats,” most of which are washable and reusable and are made from organic materials.
Inevitably, there are some downsides. “The big one is inconvenience: regular washing is a must for reusables so it’s hard to convince some consumers.” Nevertheless, as Derek says, toxic chemicals in disposable diapers may be absorbed by babies’ skin* and by soil in landfills. The toxins might be filtered out by rain and run-off to the sea, eventually coming back to haunt us in the seafood we eat, he warns.
The world’s climate is changing and we must change too, before it is too late. “We want to change the way parents around the world think about bringing up children, helping them create a much greener and sustainable lifestyle right from the start.” That will contribute to change for future generations, says Derek. He even advocates using cloth diapers for more than one child. “Kept in good condition, they can be used by a second child as well.”
Web ways-bb.com
Awards
• Green ICT Award 2014 • Roadshow Ecostar Award 2015
Diapers: balancing pros and cons
VERSATILITY
Fabric diapers are usually adjustable to age, from infancy up to around two years old.
COST
On average, a child needs 6,000-8,000 diaper changes from birth to completion of potty-training so cloth diapers can save you a lot of money, even if you would otherwise opt for a cheap brand of disposables. Although you need to buy a stock of reusable diapers up-front and the unit cost is higher, it’s an economical investment in the long run.
POLLUTION
Although there is no research yet that confirms adverse effects on babies wearing disposable diapers, an authoritative report published in France in 2019 noted that they have been found to contain dangerous chemical substances and that there is evidence they cross the safety thresholds for several of these.*
CLEANING UP
The unfortunate truth about cloth diapering is that it comes with a lot of cleaning, so more laundry, more time spent on it, more water for washing and a higher electricity bill. WaysBB has other products that help parents cope with some of these, such as waterproof bags and pail liners for keeping soiled diapers hygienically until there is a full load for the washing machine.
ON BALANCE
While some parents are convinced that cloth diapers are more eco-friendly, experts say the matter isn't clear-cut. Research suggests that both disposable and cloth diapers can affect the environment negatively - just in different ways. One fills landfills. The other uses more electricity and water for cleaning. Neither the American Academy of Pediatrics nor the Environmental Protection Agency has taken a decisive position on cloth vs. disposable diapers but used by economical, conscientious parents, cloth diapers certainly have an edge.
* anses.fr/fr/system/files/CONSO2017SA0019Ra.pdf ** webmd.com/parenting/baby/features/diaper-choices#2
