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NAPPIES AND NAPPY WIPES

GECA 29-2005 Standard (PDF)

Ecodirect Pty Ltd

Environmentally conscious nappies in various sizes.

Product Marketing Name: Ecodirect Pty Ltd

Use and Application: Nappies

Date of Certification: 12 July 2007

1. Description of the Technology.

Moltex Eco Nappies look and work like conventional disposable nappies and are as effective at keeping your baby dry as the leading disposable nappy brands. No additional padding is required for even the wettest periods e.g. overnight, so there are less resources used.

2. The Products

Moltex Eco Nappies

Core Environmental Criteria Tested:

Environmental Requirements	Core Environmental Performance Characteristics
Packaging Plastic packaging must be labelled in accordance with ISO 11469:2000 identifying the type of plastics packaging used. The plastic packaging must not be impregnated, labelled, coated or otherwise treated in a manner which would prevent post consumer recycling.	The Moltex Eco Nappies are packaged in a fully biodegradable bag, the need for recycling is therefore not applicable to this assessment. Nappy bags are packaged in 100% recycled cardboard.
Material Content Pulp and Viscose (regenerated cellulose): The requirements apply to the individual pulp used in the production of the sanitary products. The pulp must fulfil the requirement as stated in the criteria document “Standard for Sanitary Paper”.	The Pulp used in the Moltex eco Nappies is sourced from plantation grown virgin fibre, this is apparent to GECA by a Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard Certification.
COD Discharges 3.3.1.2 COD discharges from cellulose pulp and fibre production must not exceed a total of 80 kg per tonne of regenerated cellulose. Chemical oxygen demand may also be stated as the equivalent quantity of TOC.	The water effluent generated during production is not released to waterways, but is collected by a licensed hazardous waste processor. GECA has examined the process of waste collection and treatment as well as the relevant company policy related to the processing of waste.
Chlorine Gas 3.3.1.3 Chlorine gas (Cl2) must not be used in the production of bleached cellulose pulp or fibre.	Chlorine gas is not used in the production of the Moltex Eco Nappies. GECA has examined all ingredients used in the manufacturing process.
Optical Brighteners 3.3.1.4 Optical brighteners must not be present in the paper pulps used in the product or in any part of the paper raw materials used in the product.	GECA has examined all production ingredients. Optical brighteners are not used in the production of the nominated nappy product.
Zinc 3.3.1.4.1 Discharges of zinc must not exceed 0.5 kg zinc per tonne of regenerated cellulose.	Ecodirect are compliant with the requirements of this criterion.
Sulphur 3.3.1.5 Emissions of sulphur from the production of dissolving pulp and fibre must not exceed 20 kg S/per tonne of viscose.	Ecodirect are compliant with the requirements of this criterion.
NOx, SO2 The emissions of NOx and SO2 from the production of (monomerisation, polymerisation and granulating) of plastic (PE/PP) must not exceed the levels stated in table 1 (of standard)	Polyester is not used in the manufacturing of the nominated nappy products.
Plastics 3.3.2.3 Nappy and Nappy Wipe products and their packaging must not contain chlorine-based plastics or phthalates.	There are no chlorine based ingredients in the nominated nappies, the packaging is produced using a degradable polyester.
Super Absorbents Content of SAP in Nappy products may not exceed 400 ppm residual monomers and 5% w/w water soluble extracts.	A mixture of Actyfill and SAP is used. Due to the fact that Actyfill is not a synthetic polymer there are no residual monomers. The BASF-SAP is declared with <500 ppm residual monomers but because a mixture of Actyfill and SAP is used, the outcome is lower than 400 ppm. The nappies are compliant with this criterion.
Cotton Raw cotton fibres must be cultivated organically or without the use of pesticides. Chlorine gas (Cl2) must not be used in the bleaching of the cotton.	Cotton is not used in the manufacturing of the nominated nappies.
Other Materials Organic solvents must not be used if silicon is applied during production of backing paper. Adhesives must not contain phthalates.	GECA has inspected MSDS for production ingredients to determine that silicon is not used, and the adhesive does not contain phthalates.
Constituent Substances 3.4.1 Perfumes and lotions/moisturising creams must not be present in the product. 3.4.2 Deodorising substances are permitted only in incontinence care products. 3.4.3 The pigment in pigment inks must not be based on heavy metals.	The Moltex eco Nappies do not contain any perfumes, deodorising substances or any pigments.
Allergens, Carcinogens Chemicals classified as harmful, irritant, allergenic, sensitising, carcinogenic, mutagenic, teratogenic, or environmentally harmful must not be used as raw materials in the end production of nappy and nappy wipe products.	A review of MSDS for all production ingredients has provided evidence for compliance with the requirements of this criteria.

View Ecodirect EPD

3. Environmental and Social Regulatory Obligations:

GECA also found the range to be fully compliant with their obligations under Labour, Anti-Discrimination, and Safety Regulations. The company has not been the subject of prosecution in relation to compliance with labour, anti- discrimination, safety regulations and environmental regulations.

Additional Information

Good Environmental Choice Australia recommends these products to green purchasing officers, specifiers, and every day Australians seeking to purchase products and services on the basis of functional and overall environmental and human health performance.

For more information contact Ecodirect directly:

Ecodirect Pty Ltd

Address: A11/148 Old Pittwater road, Brookvale NSW 2100
Ph: 1300 767 065 or +61 2 9939 1808
Fax: +61 2 9939 1781
Web: http://www.ecodirect.com.au/

E-mail: info@ecodirect.com.au

You can go to the company's web site here:

Good Environmental Choice Australia Ltd. - PO Box 4140, Weston Creek 2606 Canberra
Ph: 02 6287 3100 / Fax: 02 6287 3800 / E-mail - info@geca.org.au