In line with our motto "Babies make trees grow," we took another step from May to August 2021 with the support of the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district to help Berlin families reduce the ecological footprint of their little ones.
Over the past few years, we as the DYCLE team have worked with parents and their babies, scientists and experts, cloth diaper consultants and volunteers to develop our diaper inlays that are made from 100% plant-based materials and are fully compostable. After use, the inlays are further processed into Terra Preta, a carbon- and nutrient-rich permanent humus that can be used to grow all kinds of plants. We last tested the system in 2019 with 40 families in Berlin.
Getting started with waste-free diapering and practical weeks on compostable diaper inlays.
There are two specific offers for families in June, July and August 2021:
1) Every week in June & July, there is an online seminar on cloth diapering and diaper-free.
2) In August, practical testing of diaper inlays that later become humus.
Online seminars on cloth diapering and diaper-free.
The project kicked off with a series of webinars on cloth diapers, diaper-free and compostable diaper inlays in June and July, where families can learn about Zero Waste as it relates to baby diapers.
To make it as easy as possible for anyone interested to get started, the approach is explained step by step. A webinar program in German and English on cloth diapering and diaper inlays, as well as elimination communication (diaper free) practices, is designed to make the switch from disposable diapers easier.
The webinars will took place every week in June and July and were aimed at expectant parents and families with babies, as well as others such as daycare teams and childminders, grandparents, relatives, babysitters and anyone who regularly changes diapers. The duration was one hour each time.
| Mi 02.06.21 | 12:00 Uhr | Stoffwindeleinführung: warum, wie und womit? (Fokus Materialien) |
| Fr 11.06.21 | 12:00 Uhr | Stoffwindelworkshop - Nachhaltiges Wickeln von Anfang an |
| Sa 19.06.21 | 20:00 Uhr | Stoffwindeleinführung: warum, wie und womit? Und was ist mit der Kita? (Fokus Fremdbetreuung) |
| Mi 23.06.21 | 10:00 Uhr | Diaper Free / Windelfrei ab Geburt |
| Mi 29.06.21 | 20:00 Uhr | Stoffwindelworkshop - Nachhaltiges Wickeln für Spätstarter |
| Mo 05.07.21 | 20:00 Uhr | Diaper Free / Windelfrei Schnellstart (Babys ab 6 Monate oder älter) |
| Mo 12.07.21 | 10:00 Uhr | Cloth diapers: why, how and with what? And what about baby wearing? (English) |
| Di 20.07.21 | 12:00 Uhr | Diaper Free / Windelfrei mit Vorerfahrung (Babys ab 6 Monate und älter) |
| Do 29.07.21 | 12:00 Uhr | Cloth diapering - Sustainable diapering from birth (English) |
Practical testing of compostable diaper inserts in Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg
And how does this work in practice? - We tested that for 2 weeks from August 9 to 22, 2021 with 20 families in the district:
The distribution of the inlays at a meeting point in the neighborhood, the use and collection. Parents will receive all the necessary utensils and a practical introduction. During the practical phase, we also provide advice and support. After the return of the used inlays - again at the meeting point - we take care that they become humus.
For the practical test, we had 30 places for families with children aged 6 to 24 months from the district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg.
For the participation we asked for a contribution towards expenses of 25 euros.
The Berlin district of Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg supported the implementation financially as part of the Zero Waste concept for public spaces.
