When the Eco-Nappies Company unveiled Naplers disposable nappies in the 1970s,

consumer products manufacturers and parents considered it the product breakthrough of

the decade. By the early 2010s, Eco-Nappies' Naplers range contributed over 30% to the

company's annual revenues. The product has also presented consumers with a decision

that has generated significant attention in recent years: which type of nappies to use -

disposable or reusable? Used by environmental and consumer advocate groups as a

symbol of the "throw away" mentality, disposable nappies contribute to a good proportion

of Australia's yearly trash output. In an effort to deflect criticism, Eco-Nappies decided to

take matters into its own hands. Early in 2015, the company commissioned

SustainO'Earth Inc., an international management and technology consulting firm (based

in the US) specialising in environmental issues. SustainO'Earth was asked to analyse the

full range of environmental impact and to conduct a life-cycle analysis of both disposable

and reusable nappies to settle the debate.

Life-Cycle Analysis

Life-cycle analysis (LCA) is a tool to measure and inventory the full range of

environmental impacts associated with the inputs and outputs of raw materials, energy

and waste during the life of a product from the acquisition of raw materials, material

manufacture, final product fabrication, packaging and distribution, to consumer use and

disposal. LCA is a total process and product mapping methodology. It is often used to

compare two similar products in order to assess which is environmentally favourable.

However, such a comparison presents three major difficulties.

First, LCA analyses rarely determine that one product is environmentally favourable in

every category of environmental impact. Second, LCA studies typically measure different

sorts of things, producing results which are largely inconclusive. And third, processing the

information obtained from LCA requires managers to weigh qualitative and quantitative

data. Evaluations range from determining the health and environmental risks associated

with a particular waste stream to choosing whether reducing air pollution is more

important than reducing water pollution.

Many environmentalists argue that LCA misses the point altogether. They claim that LCA

and similar tools put "a badge of legitimacy on existing levels of pollution," rather than

questioning whether that pollution is justifiable from society's perspective.

Nappy Life-Cycle Analysis

Researchers at SustainO'Earth began their task by determining a prototypical weight and

size of both disposable and reusable nappies and gauging the weekly usage rates of

each. They also mapped the life cycle of each, as illustrated in Figure 1 and Figure 2

below.

Figure 1: Reusable nappy Life Cycle Analysis

Figure 2: Disposable nappy Life Cycle Analysis

Note: Figures 1 & 2 use the term 'diaper' instead of 'nappy' as this term is commonly used in the US where SustainO'Earth is based.

In constructing the life-cycle diagrams, SustainO'Earth staff made a number of simplifying

assumptions concerning the ways in which nappies are used and disposed. These

assumptions were:

1. The number of daily changes is the same for both disposables and reusables:

The researchers assumed the same frequency rate of changes for both types of

nappies, although disposables, due to their greater absorbency, generally require

fewer changes.

2. 90% of all reusables are laundered at home:

The researchers assumed that only 10% of consumers using reusable nappies subscribe

to a 'nappies service'. However, other estimates have placed this figure at a higher

percentage.

SustainO'Earth emerged with the following results:

Life-Cycle Analysis of Disposable and Reusable Nappies

(Based on weekly nappies needs)

Category Disposable Reusable

Raw Materials Consumption (kg) 50.60 7.20

Energy Consumption (Btu) 23,290.00 78,890.00

Water Consumption (litres) 5.90 36.00

Atmospheric Emissions (kg) 0.18 1.72

Waste Water Effluents (kg) 0.02 0. 42

Process Solid Waste (kg) 4.04 6.26

Post-Consumer Waste (g) 22.18 0.24

Total Costs ($/week) $10.31 $7.47 to $16.92

In addition to the environmental information, SustainO'Earth's study also included an analysis of

both the health and the economic implications of each nappy type.

Health: Disposables were found to cause, on average, less incidence of nappy rash (caused

by contact between skin and urine) than reusables.

Economic: To calculate the cost to the consumer of using each type of nappy, the research

team had to make some assumptions about the cost of washing reusable nappies. It found

that when home labour was valued at the minimum wage or higher, disposable nappies were

cheaper to use than reusables.

REQUIRED:

Note: Apart from the details provided in this case study, you are required to conduct

relevant research to support your answers to the following questions. Please provide the

references of the research cited using Swinburne Harvard referencing format.

1. Based on the data provided and your own research, which type of nappy would you

recommend - disposable or reusable and why? In your discussions, you need to

include health, economic and environmental considerations. Note: your own research

may confirm or contradict the SustainO'Earth data.

2.Put yourself in the position of the vice president of the nappy division of Eco-Nappies.

In view of the Australian state and federal governments considering strategies related

to better managing industrial, commercial and domestic waste (see e.g. Parliament of

Australia 2020), what actions would you take to ensure the continuity of the business