Vanuatu has flagged its plans to become the first nation in the world to ban disposable nappies, but is struggling to find an alternative.
The ban is said to take effect in December, meaning Vanuatu will need to source enough reusable diapers to swaddle its estimated 20,000 babies and toddlers.
Belinda Rosselli from local NGO Mama’s Laef says she is developing a prototype reusable nappy that will work best for the heat of Vanuatu.
Disposable nappies are a global environmental problem, with an estimated 450 billion used annually. In Australia, environmental group Boomerang Alliance has calculated that 3.75 million nappies get used every day of the week.