16 April 2008
Combat climate change this Real Nappy Week
New arrival or growing babies? Help create a more sustainable world for them to grow up in by using real nappies.
Wealden District Council is working alongside East Sussex County Council and the Women's Environmental Network to raise awareness of the benefits of modern washable nappies during Real Nappy Week, April 21 - 27.
The Rethink Rubbish Bus will be at Croft Road Car Park, outside Waitrose in Crowborough on Monday April 21. Council officers will be available to talk to parents about the benefits of using washable nappies and offer advice on the different types of washable nappies, where to purchase them and how to use them.
As part of Real Nappy Week, displays with lots of information on washable nappies have been mounted in the reception areas at Wealden District Council offices in Pine Grove, Crowborough and Vicarage Lane, Hailsham.
And Wealden District Council is offering FREE Nappy Trial Kits, which parents can borrow for a 4-week period. Other special offers include Starter Packs costing £5 or £10 and Loan Packs for households on low incomes.
"All nappies use energy, whether it's to make disposables or to wash real ones, " explains Councillor Sylvia Tidy. "I firmly believe washable nappies are a greater benefit in terms of climate change compared to disposable nappies and in the long run save money as they can be used for more than one child.
"It’s just one of the many things we can do at home to try to preserve the quality of life we have become used to for the generations to come."
Raising awareness in the community of the need to reduce, reuse and recycle is one of the key aims of Wealden's recently adopted Climate Change Action Plan.
Eight million disposable nappies are thrown away every day in the UK. Using washable nappies greatly reduces the amount landfill waste and also works out much cheaper. Washable nappies can reduce a young family's nappy bills by more than half.
Parents are invited to take part in the Flashy Nappies photograph competition. Lots of fabulous prizes are available. For further information see the Brighton & Hove and East Sussex Real Nappy Network.
For more information on Real Nappy Week, contact Wealden's Waste Management Team on 01892 602262 or email recycling@wealden.gov.uk.
