Real Nappy Week 2013 kicks off

This years annual campaign features a different theme each day, including how to choose suitable real reusable nappies, the environmental benefits of real nappies and the financial incentives for using them.

The campaign is being coordinated by Go Real, a project managed by social enterprise Real Baby Milk CIC. Based in Cornwall the enterprise is run by parents who have had first-hand experience bringing children up in real nappies.

The social enterprise took over the organisation of the campaign from the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) after WRAP withdrew funding four years ago. The campaign is now self-sustaining and is paid for through a membership fee.

As part of the campaign, free reusable nappies are being offered by organisers Go Real to parents who have never used them before, while parents can take part in a world record attempt for the most real nappies changed simultaneously.

Also, a free certification scheme is being launched so that nurseries and child carers can show parents that they are certified, reusable nappy-friendly places. Participating nurseries will also receive a listing on the Go Real online Nappy Finder page.

Disposable nappies are generally sent to landfill and there is only one dedicated nappy recycling facility in the UK, which opened in West Bromwich in 2011 and is run by nappy recycling firm Knowaste. In February 2013, it was revealed by environment minister Richard Benyon that less than 0.1% of UK nappies are recycled (see letsrecycle.com story).

Local real nappy events are due to take place across the country between April 15-21, such as those taking place in Stonehaven in Scotland, Mansfield, London, Manchester and Wales.

Wales

Waste Awareness Wales (WAW) is supporting the week-long campaign, with information on its website about various local authorities holding advice sessions for parents thinking of using real nappies and providing them with information about the types of real nappies that are available.

Lyndsey Stewart, waste reduction officer for WAW, said that a baby will use around 5,000 nappies in a two and a half year period, costing parents around 800. However, she said that real nappies can be purchased online for around 80, saving parents over 500.

She said: Real nappies have come a long way since simple terry squares were the only kind on the market. They are very easy to use and are now available in many different styles and designs from a range of online retailers as well as certain high street stores. Were encouraging parents to take this opportunity to try real nappies and see the advantages for themselves.

Manchester

According to the Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA), which is also supporting Real Nappy Week 2013, more than 164 million disposable nappies are being thrown away in Greater Manchester every year, with each one taking hundreds of years to degrade in landfill.

GMWDA is organising a series of Nappuccino events in the city, which will see a real nappy expert provide advice to parents on how to choose, use and care for real nappies.

Councillor Neil Swannick, chair of GMWDA said: We would like to encourage parents to choose real nappies to help them to save money and also reduce the amount of disposable nappies that are thrown away. We are always looking at ways to reduce waste in Greater Manchester to support our aim of zero waste and the events will not only help to raise awareness of the benefits, but also inform parents how to use them and alleviate any difficulties they may have.

More information about Real Nappy Week is available on the Go Real website.