Real Nappy Week kicks off around the country

Although the ninth annual campaign may have been tarnished by last month's controversial Environment Agency report (see letsrecycle.com story), over 100 events are set to take place in 40 counties until June 26.

Surrey's real nappy network co-ordinator Dawn McCarron (right) explains the benefits of washable nappies at this year's Surrey County Show

The week will see nappy incentive schemes launched in eight areas, with the first baby born in Manchester's St Mary's Hospital this week given a complete supply of re-usable nappies by Manchester city council and re-usable nappy manufacturer Disana.

Nappy roadshows will be touring Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, Chelmsford, East Hampshire, Bromley, Oxfordshire and East Sussex. Berkshire, Cheshire, Derbyshire, Surrey and Wrexham will be running “nappuccino” coffee mornings to raise awareness of the benefits of washable nappies.

Shows
Other events include nappy fashion shows in Wiltshire and the Isle of Lewis, a teddy bears' picnic in Bradford, a beach party in Bexley, a swim party in East Sussex and “Cloth Nappy Challenge” events in Norwich.

The week-long campaign is being co-ordinated by the Women's Environmental Network with the Real Nappy Campaign and WRAP, the Waste and Resources Action Programme.

Elizabeth Hartigan of WEN said: “Supporters remain convinced of the benefits of washable nappies. Parents can save money and save waste and reduce harm to the environment.

Control
“The only way parents can reduce environmental impact when using disposable nappies is to use fewer nappies and that’s not a good idea. Using real nappies puts parents in control. All you need is a sensible washing routine to really make a difference,” Ms Hartigan added.

Surrey county council is one of 380 authorities supporting Real Nappy Week, with a range of events across the county under the banner “It's About Time”. The council hopes the campaign will help cut down the 700,000 spent in Surrey alone disposing of disposable nappies each year.

Marianne Cole, Surrey's waste projects officer said: “For a typical family with one baby, half of its waste bin is likely to consist of disposable nappies. Currently, all disposable nappy waste in Surrey goes to landfill. &#39D;isposables' make up 3.5% of all the waste that is buried in the ground – a large percentage for a single item.”