Lavanda closed-loop nappies system
Bologna
Lavanda is a project developed by the social cooperative Eta Beta in collaboration with the University of Bologna after a study into the environmental harm caused by disposable nappies. Based on a “product as a service” concept, Lavanda rents cloth nappies to kindergartens and offers a nappy-washing service (which has a lower environmental impact than individual washing by kindergartens).The project also creates new employment opportunities for people in social difficulties that would otherwise be supported by the municipality.
The service to kindergartens is based on agreements between Eta Beta and the municipalities and tailored to the needs of the nurseries. It provides for the supply of clean nappies, daily collection of dirty ones, and centralised washing. The washing and drying process respects all hygienic norms and has been organised to reduce the environmental impact of the transport and washing to the very minimum (e.g. no excess use of water, energy or detergents).
Lavanda aims to gradually open up to families, offering them a cloth nappy rental and washing service.
Eta Beta also promoted a similar scheme (named ‘DPIClean’“ ”) for masks used as a PPE during the COVID crisis. The scheme services large users such as schools, offices and hospitals – clean masks are delivered, and used masks are collected and sanitised according to the rules stipulated by health authorities.
