Running from March 29 to April 4 2004, the event is co-ordinated by the Women's Environmental Network to encourage parents to use re-useable cotton nappies instead of disposables.
The Network estimates that around 15% of parents now use “real” nappies. It has received 75,000 from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to coordinate this year's Real Nappy Week.
Disposable nappies account for around 4% of total household waste, making them a prime target for waste minimisation action.
WRAP is leading the work on the government's new waste reduction strategy which has set a target to convert an additional 155,000 households to using real nappies by April 2006. A total of 800,000 will go into its re-useable nappy programme.
In addition to Real Nappy Week, WRAP's nappy programme will support for nappy laundering businesses starting in major urban areas.
Deputy mayor of London Jenny Jones, who will launch the week's events said: “Most parents simply don't realise the impact of using disposable nappies. They are creating a waste problem that their babies will have to clean up in 20 years' time.”
Ms Jones added: “Disposable nappies create an unnecessary amount of waste with up to 5,400 nappies used per baby. By contrast a baby only needs 18-24 real nappies.”
Promotional events in the UK include photo calls for the local press, road shows, “Nappuccino” sessions, demonstrations and discounts on real nappies.
During the week, the Ipswich Real Nappy Network is holding a Natural Baby Fayre sponsored by Suffolk county council and Ipswich borough council. West Sussex county council is joining the cause by running a three-week advertisement campaign on bus stops buses, local radio and press advertisements.
Scotland
Last week, the Scottish Executive gave an additional boost to WRAP, allocating almost 650,000 over the next two years for its nappy work. Deputy environment minister Allan Wilson said: “The Scottish Executive wants to see a dramatic reduction in the amount of waste which Scots send to landfill sites. We are committed to recycling and composting 25% of municipal waste by 2006.”
He added: “A significant element in the non-biodegradable waste being sent to landfill is currently disposable nappies. I understand fully why people use disposable nappies – they are convenient. However, there is also a growing realisation amongst the public that we need to do more to reduce waste.”
More information on cotton nappies and the events next week can be found on the Women's Environmental Network's Real Nappy Week website
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