Success of nappy campaign

Released: 28 September 2007

Waste and recycling chiefs in Wolverhampton reckon that a campaign to get people using real nappies instead of disposables has already prevented a whopping 14 tonnes worth of waste going to landfill.

Wolverhampton Waste and Recycling Partnership, made up of the city council and Enterprise Plc, launched a drive to promote reusable nappies in January. So far 30 families have made the switch and delighted bosses say that is the equivalent of diverting 14 tonnes of rubbish from going to landfill.

UK families dispose of a staggering eight million nappies every day and nappies make up 2.6 per cent of all UK waste annually.

Real nappies can be washed and reused many times over – saving families up to £500 every year and reducing the amount of waste going to landfill or incineration.

Since January, Wolverhampton Waste and Recycling Partnership has been giving people £30 cash-back if they make the switch to reusable nappies.

Councillor Pat Byrne, cabinet member for the environment, said: “Reusable nappies help to save the planet and the pounds in your wallet. It is excellent to see that this campaign has already prevented 14 tonnes of rubbish going to landfill and I would now urge even more families to give it a try.

“We are rewarding people already using reusable nappies by giving them £30 cash-back.”

Real nappies come in a selection of styles and are suitable for both new born babies and toddlers. They can be washed easily in a washing machine at 60˚c. Modern reusable nappies do not require safety pins and can be fastened with poppers, Velcro or plastic grips.

For more information on the real nappy campaign please contact Wolverhampton City Council’s Waste Policy Department on 01902 551155 or alternatively visit the real nappy website www.realnappycampaign.com

Issued by the press office.