Over 150 local authorities have pledged their support for Real Nappy Week which takes place between April 22 and April 28. The week is organised by Women's Environmental Network's (WEN) Real Nappy Project, the Real Nappy Association and the National Association of Nappy Services.
Nappies are responsible for 4% of household waste in the UK and make up 50% of the waste from a household with one baby so families can cut their waste in half by using real nappies. The week aims to raise awareness about the environmental impact of disposable nappies and show the public that they are expensive as well as a waste problem. WEN estimates that parents can save at least 500 by using modern cloth nappies and nappy laundry services.
The South Wales action plan has been developed by Sustainable Wales, and its subsiduary, Gentle Touch. Sustainable Wales promotes the use of real nappies through an educational campaign and has set up Gentle Touch, a community co-operative laundry service. Gentle Touch works in a partnership which the Welsh Assembly Government, Environment Agency Wales, Welsh Development Agency and local authorities.
Wales estimates that the cost of collection and disposal of nappies in the country is 2.2 million a year as 160 million or 40,000 tonnes of disposable nappies sent to landfill sites in the country every year. The action plan points the way ahead for the public to use nappy washing services, in turn reducing waste to landfill and creating local jobs. The laundry service is looking to expand its operation across South East Wales.
Karin Black, regional waste planner for Environment Agency Wales, said: “The Real Nappy scheme really reaches the heart of managing our waste in a sustainable manner. It not only minimises waste, it also incorporates reuse and recycling. There is no other scheme quite like this – it really is unique, and local authorities should use this scheme to help them contribute to the Assembly Government’s waste strategy targets.”
Speaking at the launch of the action plan, Margaret Minhinnick of Sustainable Wales said: “Partnership is the key here. Only by working together can we meet our strict waste reduction targets and provide sustainable solutions. Disposable nappies are a mounting problem in our landfills as all local authorities know. By creating nappy washing services for the new kinds of reusable nappies, we can create jobs and achieve vital environmental benefits.”
For further information visit www.wen.org.uk
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