Dilemma: we hate the number of nappies hitting landfill. BUT we totally get that disposable nappies are so super convenient for busy parents!
ANSWER: we’ve discovered a new company that might just help us with this dilemma. At Playing in Puddles we love finding sustainable companies that reduce our footprint, and we’re pleased to be helping spread the word of a new local start-up that is doing just that.
Local mum Meg Connor of Woy Woy is the Co-Founder of Tackle Lab and they’ve created a solution to help childcare centres make the switch from disposable to compostable nappies and wipes. The compostable nappies look and feel like conventional supermarket disposable nappies but are made from natural materials that will break down into compost under the right conditions.
The initiative is called the NOGO bin and it’s being launched in childcare centres… and maybe (and hopefully) if this company gets enough support it’ll extend to shopping centres and residential homes too. To show your support for this incredible local company, visit the Nespresso Start Cup Challenge website and vote for the NOGO bin!
The Tackle Lab Mission
Tackle Lab is an Australian sustainability social enterprise that is committed to finding localised solutions to divert nappy and wipe waste from landfill.
Tackle Lab works on projects with social purpose and impact. They believe in doing better for our environment and humankind. That’s why they’re continually searching for areas of improvement in our environment and everyday lives.
They’re working on accelerating the transition to a circular economy and are driven to find circular solutions to reuse materials wherever possible, or if they have to create something new; they make sure it can be recycled, re-purposed, or composted.
The Tackle Lab vision is to help the biggest users of disposable nappies – childcare centres. They want childcare centres to make the switch from plastic nappies to compostable nappies that break down into compost in as little as 6 weeks.
The NOGO Bin Trial – Nappy Organics Good Organics
Starting in NSW, Tackle Lab are trialling a circular disposable nappy solution in childcare centres called the NOGO bin. Their first compostable nappy and wipe collection trial will be held in the City of Sydney. This trial will help motivate childcare operators to establish a circular process and pathway to eliminate problematic waste from their bins.
Tackle Lab want childcare centres to make the switch to compostable nappies and wipes. Using a sustainable pathway to reduce nappy waste in landfill is to divert these organics to commercial composting. The compostable nappies look and feel like conventional supermarket disposable nappies but are made from natural materials that will break down into compost under the right conditions.
This sounds like a simple solution, unfortunately, it is not that straightforward. As it stands the NSW EPA and many compost facilities want nappies to be placed in the red bin that goes to landfill. The reason being is that without education and new habit formation, consumers will place conventional nappies into the green, yellow or FOGO bin. This would be disastrous, it would contaminate these bins, sending all of their contents to landfill.
How the NOGO Bin System Works
1. Consultation with the childcare facility to understand needs and limitations.
2. Education for childcare staff on nappies, the circular economy and NOGO bin system.
3. Collection of compostable nappies in the NOGO bins.
4. NOGO bins are transported to the processor where the compostable nappies are turned into compost.
5. Compost is tested to make sure it is in line with the Australian compost standards AS 4454-2012.
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