Magoodhoo launches ‘Budu Fothi’ to promote reusable baby diapers

The island of N. Magoodhoo has rolled out ‘Budu Fothi’ – a program designed to promote the use of reusable baby diapers in the island.

The pioneering program is supported by the island’s Women’s Development Committee, Council, Health Center and Soneva Namoona - an NGO that promotes innovative waste management solutions in the Maldives.

It was officially launched in an event held in Magoodhoo on Monday.

As part of the ‘Budu Fothi’ program, the Magoodhoo community will be trialing reusable diapers with the aim of:

• Reducing the amount of diaper waste generated on the island
• Decreasing the number of diapers imported to the island
• Fostering a culture of using reusable diapers rather than single-use ones.

All 32 families on the island with diaper-wearing children will participate in the three-month trial.

At the launch event on Monday, each family received a reusable diaper kit along with guidance on how to use them. Participants also signed a pledge to adopt practices that ensure better health and a cleaner environment for their children.

A community support group was also initiated to help the families and ensure the trial's success, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared learning.

As part of this program, local retailers will be provided with information about reusable diapers and introduced to Zero Waste Maldives, a supplier that stocks reusable diapers.

The initiative aims to create a sustainable supply chain, ensuring better access to reusable diapers on Magoodhoo.

An island-wide survey conducted prior to the trial revealed key insights into diaper usage patterns:

• On average, a family spends approximately MVR 831 per month on single-use diapers, amounting to about MVR 30,000 over three years.
• A child’s diaper is changed at least four times daily, resulting in around 4,320 soiled diapers over three years, which could cover an area of 10,800 square feet or 6 volleyball courts - posing a significant disposal challenge to small communities

Speaking about the ‘Budu Fothi’ program, Maajidha Hassan, President of Magoodhoo’s Women’s Development Committee, said that managing diaper waste is a real challenge for the island.

“Managing nappy waste is a real challenge for our island and accumulated nappy waste is a health hazard. The Budu Fothi campaign presents a promising solution to solve this issue while creating a more sustainable environment for our children. We are thrilled that through this program, parents now have information about and access to healthier alternatives,” she said.

Khadeeja Hamid, Reduce Manager of Soneva Namoona, said that the trial is crucial not only for collecting data to inform future work, but also for highlighting the need for accessible, reusable alternatives to single-use products.

“We hope this initiative will drive broader changes and support from all stakeholders including government and private sector,” she added.

Fathimath Namha, a parent participating in the trial, said she was excited to be part of the initiative.

“Participating in the Budu Fothi trial has given us hope that we can reduce our environmental footprint while providing safe and effective care for our children. We are excited to be part of this initiative,” she said.