Why More Parents in Ireland Are Thinking About Reusable Nappies

Nobody really warns you how much of parenthood revolves around nappies 😭

Buying them.
Changing them.
Running out of them at the worst possible moment.
And somehow filling the bin again only five minutes after taking it out.

For many families in Ireland, disposable nappies are simply part of everyday life. They’re convenient, practical, and often the easiest option during busy newborn days.

But more parents across Ireland are also starting to think about the environmental impact of disposable nappies and how small changes at home can help reduce waste over time.

The Amount of Disposable Nappy Waste in Ireland Is Huge

Ireland sends an estimated 1 million disposable nappies to landfill every single day.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nappies make up around 10% of household residual waste in Ireland, creating more than 75,000 tonnes of waste every year.

And because disposable nappies contain plastics and absorbent chemicals, they can take hundreds of years to fully break down in landfill.

When you think about the fact that one baby can use between 4,000 and 6,000 nappies before potty training, the scale of the waste quickly becomes easier to understand.

Why Some Families Are Trying Reusable Nappies

For many parents, reusable nappies are not about being perfect or never using disposables again.

It’s often about finding small ways to reduce waste and save money where possible.

Some families use reusable nappies full time.
Others use them:
• at home during the day
• only for newborn stages
• part time alongside disposables

Even part time use can make a difference.

According to reusable nappy organisations, using reusable nappies regularly can prevent thousands of disposable nappies from going to landfill for just one child.

Reusable nappies can also help families save hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of euro over several years, especially when reused for younger siblings.

Small Changes Can Make a Difference

At Lets Match Mums, we believe sustainability does not have to mean doing everything perfectly.

Sometimes it’s simply about making small, realistic choices where you can.

For some families, that might mean trying reusable nappies part time.
For others, it could mean passing on baby clothes, toys, buggies, and other essentials once they are no longer needed instead of letting them go to waste.

Because keeping baby items in use for longer not only reduces waste, it also helps support other families in the community, including refugee mums and families in Direct Provision who may be starting with very little.

Sometimes small changes at home can have a much bigger impact than we realise 💛