One of the highest-profile waste minimisation initiatives in the UK – with the support of over 240 local authorities – the annual Real Nappy Week campaign is jointly organised by the Women's Environmental Network and the Real Nappy Association.
The week includes events and exhibitions all over the UK promoting the use of reusable nappies and raising awareness of the environmental impact of disposable nappies.
 The Real Nappy Week campaign is one of the highest profile waste prevention initiatives in the UK |
Kick-starting the week's activities, Mr Meacher praised real nappy schemes for helping transform the culture of Britain away from a throwaway society.
He said: “Switching to reusable nappies is clearly desirable. In addition, minimising waste in one area, for example the use of reusable nappies, will hopefully lead people to consider what other changes they can make to minimise the generation of waste.”
Nearly 3 billion nappies are thrown away every year in the UK according to the Real Nappy Association. It says that nappies make up 50% of the waste from a household with just one baby, and that promoting the use of “real” nappies could save councils hundreds of thousands of pounds in disposal costs.
Among the initiatives the minister unveiled today was a new phoneline service, Nappy Line, set up in response to the increasing demand for reusable nappies. The service gives callers details of local laundry services and retail outlets. It will be staffed 9am – 12 noon on Mondays and Wednesdays, although callers can leave an answer-phone message at other times for a same-day response.
- Nappy Line – 01983 401959
Mr Meacher also opened the Real Nappy Collection, an exhibition highlighting the choice available to parents in this area. This will be open to the public at London's City Hall and around the country.
Cashback
West Sussex is one of the key local authorities supporting Real Nappy Week. There, an estimated 30 million disposable nappies make up about 3% of the county's household waste.
More than 1,400 babies are registered with the council's Real Nappy scheme, in which parents receive a cashback of up to 30 in return for using cotton nappies for their children.
Events at Sainsburys stores throughout West Sussex will be staged during Real Nappy Week to raise the profile of the county's nappy scheme among parents.
Commenting on the campaign, county councillor Frank Wilkinson, policy advisor on waste issues, said: “Over the course of their average two and a half years in real nappies, the 1,400 babies registered with our initiative will have prevented seven million disposable nappies going to landfill.”
For more information on re-usable nappies, the Real Nappy Week campaign and the Real Nappy Collection, see the Women's Environmental Network website.
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