From Research to Policy: BTP in Parliament

We were invited to present the Big Toilet Project in Parliament as part of Evidence Week 2025. This was only possible because of the hard work of our researchers, the data our citizen scientists have shared with us over the last 6 months and the help of our policy advisors including leading health charities and Sense about Science. 

Watch short video summary here:

The Key Takes:

1. Disposable nappies are a major  contributor to municipal solid  waste in the UK.
2. Reducing the recommended  timeframe for toilet training  reduces nappy waste, a win-win-win environmentally,  socially and economically.
3. Guidance that children should  be out of nappies between  18 and 30 months should  form consistent messaging  from Department of Health &  Social Care, Department for  Education and Ofsted, and in  support provided in early years  education settings and by  health visitors and healthcare professionals.

Policy Implications:

1. Create clear NHS guidance aligned with current evidence  supporting the benefits of earlier toilet training from sitting comfortably, or about six months of age; followed by the adoption of this guidance by the Department for Education and Ofsted.
2. Commit to restoring workforce capacity and funding for health visiting services, ensuring timely, face-to-face developmental reviews that include training at all key milestones, as part of the Healthy Child Programme. In line with recommendations from the Institute of Health Visiting, this means embedding continence support earlier and reinstating later reviews currently lost due to service reductions.
3. Beyond reduce strategies, Circular Economy Taskforce should consider policies supporting recycling infrastructure and technological R&D for recycling nappies, adult incontinence products and period pads.

Read the full Policy Brief HERE.