Environmental Nappy

Globally, its estimated that 300,000 disposable nappies are sent to landfill or incinerated every minute, leading to environmental issues as many contain plastics and synthetic materials and can take hundreds of years to decompose. While there's sustainable alternatives such as washable nappies, the effort and cost limits how widely they're used. Over the years many start-ups have marketed greener alternatives to disposable nappies. Can the latest make an impression? Texas-based company Hiro Technologies has created unbleached disposable diapers that comes with a packet of fungi which is added to the used diaper when it's ready to be thrown away. The fungi are able to break down and digest the diaper over time, says co-founder Miki Agrawa, who started the brand after being shocked by how many nappies her son was going through. The diapers cost $136 (£100) for a month's supply, though there is a subscription price of $199. That's significantly more than regular disposables, which are estimated to cost cost around $70 a month.Is the price out of range for most parents? Price tags aside, Sonali Jagadev, senior research analyst at Euromonitor, says progress in creating a more innovative and sustainable nappy remains slow and uneven due to several factors including high production costs and supply chain constraints. And, of course, there are consumer priorities. "Parents continue to prioritise performance, hygiene and convenience over sustainability, meaning brands take a risk if greener solutions compromise any of these core expectations."

BBQ - Do you think there will ever be enough demand for a sustainable nappy?

Hiro Nappies

, externalto cost around $70 a m

BYD overtakes Tesla

China's BYD has overtaken Elon Musk's Tesla as the world's biggest seller of electric vehicles (EVs), marking the first time it has outpaced its American rival in annual sales. Tesla car sales dropped by nearly 9% in 2025 to 1.64 million vehicles sold worldwide, the carmaker said on Friday - its second consecutive year of falling car deliveries. Those figures placed Tesla behind BYD, which said on Thursday that sales of its battery-powered cars rose last year by almost 28% to more than 2.25 million. The US firm has faced a tough year with a mixed reception to new offerings, unease over Musk's political activities and intensifying competition from Chinese rivals. The Shenzhen-based company's rapid expansion - especially in Latin America, South East Asia and parts of Europe - comes despite many countries imposing steep tariffs on Chinese EVs. In October, BYD said the UK had become its biggest market outside China. The firm said that its sales in Britain surged by 880% in the year to the end of September, driven by strong demand for the plug-in hybrid version of its Seal U sports utility vehicle (SUV). Tesla's car sales fell 16% during the last three months of 2025. The drop was partly due to the repeal of a government subsidy that had helped knock as much as $7,500 (£5,570) off the price of certain battery electric, plug-in hybrid or fuel cell vehicles. Chinese firms such as Geely, MG, and BYD - now the country's largest electric car company - have put pressure on Western rivals by pricing their vehicles below established brands.

BBQ - What do you believe is the biggest reason that Tesla car sales have dropped?

BYD vs Tesla

Tesco Trials Avocado Scanner

 

Tesco has launched a trial of infrared avocado ripeness scanners in five UK stores, aiming to revolutionize how customers shop for fresh produce while tackling food waste. Developed by Dutch agritech firm OneThird, the scanners use light-based technology to assess the internal ripeness of avocados in seconds—eliminating the need for squeezing, which often damages the fruit. This innovation is part of Tesco’s broader sustainability strategy, which includes removing plastic labels and packaging from avocado products, saving over 20 million pieces of plastic annually. With avocado sales surging—15 million more sold this year compared to last—the scanner helps shoppers choose fruit suited to their needs, whether for immediate use or later consumption. By improving customer experience and reducing waste, Tesco demonstrates how technology can be leveraged to solve everyday retail challenges and support environmental goals.

BBQ - How can technological innovation like Tesco’s avocado ripeness scanner improve operational efficiency and customer satisfaction in retail?

Avocado Scanner