Saturday 21 December 2013

Is composting single-use nappies the solution?

Well done to EnviroComp and Biffa for getting this story about composting nappies on BBC Breakfast just before the Waste Prevention Plan for England was published on 11 December 2013.

Composting nappy waste is certainly a better business model than Knowaste's recycling plant.  There would only have been 6 nappy recycling processors in the UK so the road miles would have been a disaster.

EnviroComp's composting process has the advantage of having been tried and tested in New Zealand.  The treatment of the disposable nappies can happen relatively locally.  Could this happen in central London?

It will still require separate collections of nappies.  That's a challenge.  It would be good if customers pay for the collection or get rewarded for dropping off at a nappy bank, somewhere they are going anyway, such as the supermarket - to reduce road miles and prevent the additional costs being added to council tax bills.

The plastic still has to be sieved off and is sent for incineration.  So unfortunately that's toxic.  The superabsorbent gel remains in the compost.  That means it's going to end up in the food chain eventually.  We don't know what happens to birds that have eaten worms that have eaten superabsorbent gel.  The best thing to do is for Europe to ban superabsorbent gel from single-use nappies.  We've been calling for this for some time.

We also need to consider the impacts of the manufacture, packaging and distribution of 4-6,000 single-use nappies per baby.

Those of you who frequent this blog will also have seen our concerns that disposable nappies lengthen the time children stay in nappies and there are health issues/costs - financial and environmental.

Still, this is better than landfill, incineration or recycling nappies.  However nappy laundry services, reusable nappies and elimination communication are even better.  Thanks to all of you who are increasing real nappy use across London and reducing the impacts of single-use nappies.  Enjoy your baby! 

Posts that may be of interest:  Are potty training methods in the west...
In particular look at the last comment on this blog
and

We're talking about potty training again




Wednesday 18 December 2013

MothersLoveGreen: A new group for mums

This is an inspiring guest blog from MothersLoveGreen. If you would like to go but are too far from Archway why not set up something similar for mothers in your area (or fathers or parents)?


It’s easy to get a bit of cabin fever on the mum-scene. Sometimes it feels like the wheels on the bus really are going round all day long. There aren’t many groups where you can hang out with your babe and also engage with wider issues in the big wide world.

This is where MothersLoveGreen comes in – a new group for mums who are interested in environmental and sustainability issues.

MothersLoveGreen runs a bit like a book group – but we discuss a theme on the topic of sustainability, climate change and the environment each month, instead of all reading the same book. Meet ups happen on the second Wednesday morning of every month, at my house in Archway. We share what we have learned in the group; and discuss whether we could spread a little mothers’ love to help things move in a positive direction. Obviously babies and little people are welcome!

We are also drawing on the great expertise and knowledge that lies within the mum scene itself. There are mums who are already experts in their own right - working on sustainability issues in government; think tanks; research; business; NGOs and more. Sometimes we invite them as speakers to talk to the group and give us the inside story on issues they know about – and some are part of the group itself.

Being involved is a great way to learn more about sustainability issues, to do something positive and to meet like-minded people. If you are looking for a mums-and-babies group that isn’t just about baby-stuff, then this might be the group for you.

We are only just starting up, and would be delighted to have more people join us. If you are interested in hearing more or in getting involved, please email me at pollard.amy (at) gmail.com 

Wednesday 11 December 2013

Prevention of nappy waste is best

Thanks to everyone who came to the real nappy flashmob today. We are parents who have discovered reusable nappies and love them. We are saying to other parents "try zero waste nappies, you may find you love them too".

We held the event because today the first ever Waste Prevention Plan for England was published. There is no mention of nappies in it. It's disappointing but we do understand that talking about nappies can create unhelpful headlines such as Parents forced to wash nappies. We also understand that some people don't want to or are unable to wash nappies and disposables work for them. However, we also know that more people would use reusable nappies if they were easier to buy/get hold of and seemed a bit more 'normal'.

In the Autumn Statement chancellor George Osborne forecast a return to pre-1948 levels of public spending by 2019. It's a good thing the treasury is not responsible for the cost of disposable nappy waste as it wasn't a line on the budget back then. However local authorities ie council tax payers are going to have to pay for it.

With 729 674 births in England and Wales (ONS) in 2012, the cost to the council tax payer of disposing of 3 billion nappies every year (8 million a day) is in the region of £40 million and going up. £70 per tonne of which goes to the government in landfill tax, a fiscal measure designed to reduce waste to landfill, especially that which releases methane - a potent climate change gas. The cost to the council tax payer of those who choose to wash nappies will be zero. Apart from the small percentage that is spent on information, incentives and rewards to encourage the uptake of reusable nappies.

Is it really okay for this Waste Prevention Programme to ignore the parents, nurseries, healthcare workers and local authorities that are reducing disposable nappy waste? And what about some recognition for the businesses that help households use alternatives to disposable nappies?


We're using today to help people find out about real nappies because we love them! Want to find out more?

Look for a local nappy library in your area.

Find out if your London borough offers a real nappy incentive here.

Click here for info about eco-disposables.


Interested to find out about the history of waste prevention in the UK? Look at WEN's paper, published April 2003 Disposable Nappies: a case study in waste prevention.

Friday 6 December 2013

We're talking about potty training again

When we talk about nappies all sorts of other topics come up, like Mooncups and Cloth Sanitary Products (CSP), even recycling and composting. Washing nappies in an eco-friendly way comes up a lot as you'd imagine.  And also stuff to do with health like breastfeeding, baby-led weaning, nappy rash and potty training - that comes up a lot. We're asked questions and then we do some research and talk to health professionals.

Something we've come across lately is a worrying increase in urinary tract infections (UTIs) and constipation amongst children. Some health professionals are attributing this trend to infrequent nappy changes, others to current toilet training methods. Our refined diet plays a part too.

At the moment the findings are anecdotal and there is no hard research published on which to base health policy interventions. At Real Nappies for London we believe in sharing knowledge so that parents are aware of the risks and can make up their own mind about what to do.

In the French nappy documentary, Couchorama a toileting anthropologist (yes, really - he's very interesting) describes western style nappy habits as 'hospitalisation'. We wrap the child in a nappy and just change the baby/patient as a routine. This is in contrast to what happens in most parts of the world where the parent/carer looks for cues from the baby that s/he wants to pee or poo and the child is held over a pot or in a convenient position and place for the baby to 'eliminate'.

A study by a Swedish paediatrician of toileting habits in Vietnam found babies were releasing the bladder 'on demand' at 9 months, starting independence at 12 months and in control of the bladder by 18 months. We are meeting more and more parents who are doing this with their babies or at least giving their child the opportunity to 'eliminate' on a pot/toilet at changing time.

This is in direct contrast to mainstream Western style toilet training where we often delay offering the potty or toilet until the child is two or perhaps even older. But there is a growing body of research indicating that chldren develop the ability to control their bladders and bowels through the process of toilet training. This suggests the earlier the child has the opportunity to do this the better.

However there are also continence experts who believe children are at more risk of constipation and UTIs if potty training starts early. The influential article By Dr Steve Hodges in the Huffington Post says that children have a greater tendancy to 'hold' if they've been potty trained early. So what should a parent do?

Any baby/toddler is at risk of 'holding' on to urine or poo. It's important therefore to be observant about how regularly your child eliminates. You should notice the colour of the pee. It should be pale yellow. If it is dark yellow ensure your child drinks more water.

It's also important to be aware of how quickly food moves through the bowels. This will enable you to look out for constipation. It's true that a child may poo regularly but still be constipated. However there are certain highly coloured foods and foods that are only partially digested by young intestines that help you see how quickly food passes through your child's gut eg beetroot, spinach, prunes, peas.

Anecdotally it looks like parents are putting off potty/toilet training until later and later. It also seems to be perceived as something really quite stressful for the parent and child. Fitted carpets don't help!

Our advice is gather the information and decide what's right for you and your child.

For further reading see Are Potty Training Methods in the West

If you're looking for toilet training advice see New thoughts on Potty Training

Check out EC simplified.






Monday 2 December 2013

Nappies NOT a landfill issue. Really?

Defra will be making a big mistake if it leaves nappies out of the Waste Prevention Plan for England, due to be published later this month. I can already see and hear the crowing media releases from AHPMA (Absorbent Hygiene Products Manufacturer's Associaton). "Disposable nappies NOT a landfill problem. Parents need feel no guilt. They should just use the type of nappy that most suits their lifestyle".

This is disinformation. It's also completely ignoring the waste hierarchy. Disposable nappies are up to 12% of household waste in some areas of London. And clearly not every household is putting out disposable nappy waste. If there are two babies in a home wearing disposable nappies that's 2 black bin bags of waste per week, weighing approx 14 kilos. Saying disposable nappies are not a waste issue makes a mockery of a programme that aims to move England towards becoming a "Zero Waste Economy". How can anyone think that household waste is a problem when disposable nappies are not considered a significant waste stream?


If you have a baby in real nappies and want to tell the government you enjoy using real nappies and they should be praising you for reducing waste to landfill please join us for a #realnappyflashmob. You can sign up here. We need to make a big spectacle and create media coverage so the media isn't totally dominated by disposable nappy companies saying their nappies are not a landfill problem.

The Waste Prevention Plan for England will be published any day now - but we don't know when. We want to hold the flashmob on the actual day of publication to get the best opportunity of media coverage. I know when you have a baby/toddler (or both) it's really difficult to be spontaneous but this is a really important media opportunity. Please sign up. We will text you to let you know it's on. We know many of you will be unable to make it but if there's any chance that you can please sign up. The deadline set by Europe for the publication of the Waste Prevention Plan is 12 December. If the programme is not published by this date we will hold the flashmob on 12 December anyway to mark the Government missing the deadline.

You may also be interested in this: Remember the Waste Hierarchy

Thursday 21 November 2013

Real Baby Hubs for London | #EWWR2013 Competition

It's European Week for Waste Reduction so we're running a competition. Make a suggestion below and you can win an Ecoegg - great for washing nappies and reducing packaging waste.

This is what we want you to do. Imagine you're sitting round the kitchen table with a group of friends - like these mums did 20 years ago.

You've decided your area of London needs a place where new parents can go to hang out together with their babies/toddlers, get information about real nappies, potty training, breastfeeding and what else? Would you like a local Real Baby Hub with a sewing machine so you can drop by and repair something? A computer you can use while someone holds your baby? Perhaps a bit like Nappy Ever After - but with sofas and nothing to sell - well maybe liners, coffee, smoothies and ???

Tell us what would happen at your dream local Real Baby Hub. If there's an empty shop nearby that would make a great Real Baby Hub tell us the address too. When would it be open?

Our dream is that Mary Portas will stumble across this page with all your brilliant ideas and help us make them happen. Is it a good use for an empty shop?

Please note: after you've submitted your idea please send an email to nappies@lcrn.org.uk titled 'ecoegg' so we know you want to enter the competition. Please send emails by 12 noon Thursday 28 November to be eligible to win the prize.

Monday 18 November 2013

Invest in a potty

Are you one of those parents that doesn't want to use washable nappies? Don't worry, you can still make a difference and save money. This European Week for Waste Reduction (16-24 November) let's talk about toilet training.

Did you know that since disposables became the norm children come out of nappies about one to two years later than they used to?

Before disposables became the norm most children were out of nappies by two during the day and three years old during the night. That's a lot more waste going to landfill and incineration - and a lot more resources in the manufacture and transportation of single-use nappies that are actually not necessary!

So if you want to make life easier (for yourself and child), save money and reduce waste, invest in a potty. According to child continence experts your child should be sitting on a potty from one year at the latest - just to get used to it. It's through toilet training that children develop bowel and bladder control so the earlier the better. For more information on how to potty training see this post: New thoughts on Potty Training.

This post may also be of interest: Are potty training methods in the West ...



Thursday 14 November 2013

What's life like for London parents at the moment?

When we start a family we tend to find we have less money. It's time to think smart: spend less and live differently.

We're in the early days of designing a new project with the Women's Environmental Network (WEN) to help new parents in London find out how to buy less, waste less, save money and make money. Have your heard of the Transition Town Network? It's brought people together locally to learn new skills, insulate their homes, make friends, save money and live more sustainably. We think that London parents need something like this.

We're thinking that every borough needs a sling library, a nappy library, regular baby clothes swap events. What else? A work hub with a crèche? Ways to make money and look after your baby at the same time?

What's already happening in your area? Was it easy to find out? We're looking at starting a project that can help expectant and new parents buy second-hand, get creative or build a community that will support them in the early days and years of starting a family. We're looking for individuals who want to make things happen in their area or need help with funding to offer services to expectant and new parents on low incomes.

What should we call it? Do you want to get involved?

Wednesday 23 October 2013

The pressure to succeed as a mum

There's a new report out about the incidence of depression during pregnancy and after birth. It seems like modern life is decreasing our ability to be excited about having a baby and becoming a mum. There's too much pressure to become the 'perfect' mum.

Is it that? Or is there too little peer support? Not enough preparation?

Any ideas of what can be done to protect our mental health during pregnancy and beyond?

Lots of mums say the NCT helps. Did the NCT give you a network of friends? Was that enough?

Will filling in a form 'My pregnancy & post-birth wellbeing plan help'?

You can read more here.

Monday 30 September 2013

Landfilling disposable nappies is environmental vandalism

it's also big business, according to Hilary Vick, Real Nappies for London Project Manager

Barbican Conference Centre, London, November 2009 I arrive late at the Zero Waste conference, organised by the Resource Recovery Forum. The coffee break is in full-swing. I overhear a woman, high heels, suit (presumably a waste industry professional) say "Well, if what I just heard in there is right we'll be out of business in 10 years time."

What I've never understood about the waste industry is why it doesn't get Zero Waste. I've talked to many waste industry professionals and waste prevention scares them. Few of them seem to understand that there's always going to be waste and actually as the volume goes down and waste disposal standards go up they will charge more for handling less waste better. They are never going to go out of business.

In addition they have the business of cleaning up the mess that the waste industry has been allowed to make. A big one is the ash from incineration. Another big one is the leachate from landfill sites. They're always going to be busy. They do a dirty job that has to be done and we are grateful. Now, they need to get on side and help prevent waste so they can make money out of dealing with less waste, better.

Landfilling disposable nappies is environmental vandalsim and it's time the waste industry (that with a few exceptions constantly denies that disposable nappy waste is an issue) and all UK political parties recognised the need to support parents and institutions that use real nappies. They are preventing waste and that's what's best.

There are other alternatives to landfill. But waste prevention is cheap compared to the costs of incineration, recycling and composting nappy waste. Parents that use real nappies reduce the cost of dealing with disposable nappy waste. So why isn't everyone championing real nappy use?

Support for real nappies will not even be in the Waste Prevention Plan for England when it comes out (deadline 12 December 2013.) And this is wrong; not only are real nappies zero waste, but also, according to the updated life cycle analysis by the Environment Agency (2008,see link below), real nappies if washed at 60 degrees or below and line dried (RNfL research shows that this is how most London parents launder nappies) can have up to 40% lower carbon impacts than single-use nappies.

Look out for BIG ACTIVISM on the day the Waste Prevention Plan for England is released. We want real nappy parents from in and around London to gather in a public place and make a BIG SPECTACLE. And if you haven't got a baby but support us please join us. And if nappies get into the Waste Prevention Plan we'll be celebrating!

Please book here to register your interest.

Resource Recovery Forum: Waste Prevention: Aiming High, November 2009

Envionment Agency: Using Science to create a better place; an updated life cycle assessment study for disposable and reusable nappies, October 2008






Thursday 26 September 2013

Who else wants free nappies?

Are you a Havering resident? Do you know your borough has a new nappy scheme. They are virtually giving away nappies (you pay £5 but they are worth a lot more than that.)

These nappies are different. They are the latest, easy wash, quick dry fitted reusable nappies. You wash them and use them again. No more trips to the supermarket or searching on-line for the best deal - saving you time and money! And you will feel good about putting out less waste.

Click here to find out more!

And if you're not a Havering resident click here to find out if your borough has a scheme to help you try out real nappies.

Thursday 12 September 2013

Please give us your feedback

We're so pleased to get your feedback. Here's an email we've just received:

I am an Islington resident and have taken advantage of the nappy voucher scheme. I am emailing you my results.

We have always recycled plastics, paper, tin/aluminium/steel and glass as well as composting food waste. We have marked bins in the house and have an above average knowledge of recyclable plastics. We make use of the recycle centre 2-3 times a month.

While using disposables, we were disposing of two large black bags of general, unrecyclable waste. I started using cloth nappies mainly during the day time, and waste has been reduced to one large black bag, approximately 2/3 full. When I redeemed the voucher, I decided to take it a step further and use cloth nappies exclusively. Last Sunday I disposed of 1/4 bag of waste.

I see this as a great result, though am keen to improve this figure. I am going to start using microfibre cloths instead of nappy wipes, as this is the only thing my side bin is filled with at the moment.

I am so pleased with my results, I am going to spread the word to other mums in the borough, at our playgroups and classes. I am going to dress my baby in the most attractive striped cloth nappy, as I know it will be noticed, and get heads wagging.

Islington Mum and resident, September 2013

What's your story?

Wednesday 4 September 2013

Wouldn't it be nice if ...

we could stop the myth that washable nappies are just as bad for the environment as using disposables?

We know where this idea came from: in 2005 the Environment Agency (EA) published a nappy life cycle analysis that said so - but the data on washing nappies was very poor, based on a small number of parents using terry nappies and speculation about boiling, tumble-drying and ironing the nappies. In 2008 the EA brought out an updated nappy life-cycle analysis. It concluded that using real nappies could have up to 40% lower carbon impacts than disposables if the nappies were washed at less than 60 degrees and line-dried. However it said washing nappies would have higher carbon impacts than single-use nappies if the reusables were boiled and tumble-dried.

These reports had a really positive impact on the real nappy industry. They made us talk about washing nappies and look at how nappies can be laundered with the minimum carbon and environmental impacts. However, it also set off this myth that washing nappies is no better for the environment than using "disposable" nappies.

But there's an issue: Defra doesn't know how people wash nappies. However at Real Nappies for London we do. We have an on-going survey where we ask people how they wash and dry their nappies. Only 1% say they wash nappies at 90 degrees and less than 6% tumble-dry. This means that we can safely say real nappies are not only zero waste, they also have significantly lower carbon impacts than disposables.

Why is this important?
1 because at the moment it looks like nappies will not appear in the Government's Waste Prevention Plan for England 2013.

2 people who use real nappies tell us that friends and relatives actually discourage them from using them saying that washing nappies is just as bad for the environment as disposables, so why bother?

At Real Nappies for London we know that people are afraid of the washing. That means the opportunity to persuade people to try real nappies and thus reduce disposable nappy waste is already difficult. This myth that washing nappies is just as bad for the environment as using 4-5,000 single-use nappies that are sent to landfill where they emit methane, a potent climate change gas is not helpful. It discourages those parents that are doing the right thing and using real nappies and it puts off parents, nurseries and maternity wards that are open to using real nappies.

But is this a problem? Has this myth slowed down the growth of real nappy culture? Yes, it has. Has this been a bad thing? Not necessarily. People who decide to use real nappies have to work hard to do it. They have to get information, choose which nappy to buy, pay a high upfront cost (compared to weekly spend on disposables). This tends to make them determined to make them work and take great pride in their success. This makes for a slower more sustained growth of real nappy culture and this may not be a bad thing in the long term. One thing is for sure. There are a lot more people using real nappies in London in 2013 than there were 10 years ago plus the nappies have improved and how people wash them has changed for the better!

For more on this theme see Remember the Waste Hierarchy September 2011




Thursday 15 August 2013

Nappy rash a problem? You're not alone.

We've just come across a number of real nappy users experiencing nappy rash. What they have in common is that they have been using highly scented alcohol disposable wipes at change time more often than usual because they're out and about more in this lovely sunny weather. These wipes dry and weaken the skin and make it more vulnerable to fungal and bacterial infections.

The best alternative to commercial single use wipes is reusable wipes. Take them out with you in a plastic bag. They should be just damp having been soaked in water with a few drops of essential oil such as Tee Tree Oil or Lavender.

If your baby suffers from nappy rash don't use a barrier cream or mineral oil. Both stop the skin breathing and delay healing.

Clean the skin at changing time with just water. If the skin is particularly sore make up a solution of cooled boiled water with a few drops of Calendula oil and splash that on the affected area after washing. Also expose the bottom to lots of fresh air with lots of no-nappy time.

To speed up healing and strengthen the skin use natural vegetable oils that work for your skin. Coconut oil is naturally antiseptic. If using sweet almond oil or olive oil (base oil) add one drop of Tee Tree oil per one ml of the base oil. If you have empty essential oil bottles you can make up fresh 10ml solutions frequently.

This may all sound complicated at first. However replacing highly scented commercial products (that contain lots of preservatives such as alcohol) with herbal remedies to look after your family's skin soon becomes a habit, saves you money and prevents minor problems becoming acute health issues and difficult to manage.

Please note, essential oils are powerful. Do not be apply directly to the skin. Only use 2-3 drops in water and one drop to 1ml of base oil. Essential oils should not be used on babies under 6 weeks.

Wednesday 14 August 2013

Paying people to return disposable nappy waste to the supermarket is not rocket science

People have been intrigued by my suggestion that residents drop off bags of used disposable nappies at supermarkets. They are asking how it would work errrr... technology?

There would be a nappy bank, a bit like a clothes bank (which is emptied regularly) and when the resident drops off the bag they get a bar code and the bag of nappy waste is given a bar code. The customer uses the code as credit on their supermarket shopping. This is similar to way I returned bottles to an Austrian supermarket about 10 years ago! If rubbish has been deposited that is not disposable nappy waste the bar code would act as a trace.

Well, that’s my vision of the future where the full cost of producing and selling single-use nappies is paid for by those who profit from selling them.

RNfL's blog response to Defra's Waste Prevention Plan for England can be seen here

Thursday 8 August 2013

RNfL response to Defra's Consultation on the Waste Prevention Plan for England

This post is the personal view of Hilary Vick, manager of RNfL, founder of Nappy Ever After and trustee of WEN

I have to say that this consultation document conjures up the image of bankers on the eve of the financial crash saying "everything's going really well." When England gets the EU fines for not meeting landfill reduction targets I can hear the Queen saying to David Cameron "Didn't anyone see this coming?"

You can find a link to the consultation document at the end of this post.

Do you broadly agree with the proposed role for Government?
Yes, but ... I'm worried about the complacency about recycling. The waste hierarchy means preventing waste BEFORE preparing for reuse, and preventing waste BEFORE recycling. We have to be honest with ourselves and the public and acknowledge that much of what is collected to be reused/recycled in not reusable/recyclable due to issues of quality and contamination. Recycling is also resource intensive. We need to prevent recycling; we need to reduce the manufacture and sale of single-use items urgently.

This is a role for government. This has to be done through regulation. There are precedents in other countries. For example an obligation for retailers to give a high refund for returned single-use drink containers (as was introduced in Germany many years ago). The effect was a big disincentive to stock drinks in single-use containers. And, a bit more radical I grant you, an obligation (in 5 years to give businesses time to organise) for retailers that sell single-use nappies to give a monetary reward to consumers for returning their used nappies. The retailer then has the responsibility to send the nappies to disposal at its own cost. This is a way to create a financial level playing field so that businesses that profit from selling single-use products bear the cost of disposal. It would encourage these retailers to sell the zero waste alternative to save them these costs.

These are examples of simple, achievable measures that give a clear signal to the public and industry that single-use products are wasteful and should be used in emergencies only. This is the only way in which a circular economy will be achieved. Businesses motivated purely by profit will continue for as long as they are allowed to profit from selling sugary water in single-use plastic bottles and aluminium cans to the detriment of the health of the public and the planet. Government has to govern; it has to restrict the ability of business to profit at
A the expense of public health and
B the survival of future generations.

There is an alternative to putting the cost of waste disposal/recycling onto business. They could oblige local authorities to spend at least 10% of what they spend on recycling/disposal of single use items on publicising and making available alternatives eg providing taps in streets and parks where residents can refill bottles. In the case of nappies spend that money on helping an SME/social enterprise provide washable nappy and potty training advice, a nappy laundry service or an incentive to help with buying zero waste nappies. Over the long-term the local authority would recoup this investment in reduced collection and disposal costs.

Do you broadly agree with the proposed role for business?
In parts, but while it's true that business has expertise in communicating with the public, it's also clear that they are masterful at persuading the public to part with their money for products that are bad for their health – both physical and mental, bad for communities and bad for the planet. It is also clear that businesses prioritise short-term profit over long-term use of resources and therefore sustainability. We are at a crucial stage when we have the opportunity to change the way we do business but business cannot do it alone. Even if they want to do the right thing they are unable to do it if their competitors are doing the wrong thing. They need a level playing field. For example supermarkets might want to sell reusable nappies but huge multi-nationals encourage them to compete with other supermarkets in using single-use nappies as a loss leader to get sleep deprived parents into their shops to buy other products.

Business marketeers are also expert at persuading parents to delay the age at which they potty train and night train their children in order for the companies to sell more product. They also misleadingly call stay dry nappy pants ‘potty training pants’ when the product does nothing to help the child potty train. My point is that government is naive to trust profit driven businesses to lead the drive to a circular economy. It is necessary for government to establish clear priorities to prevent waste through intelligent mechanisms that reduce the profits and markets for companies that behave irresponsibly. In the case of nappies, we do have well-designed, durable, easy to wash, easy to dry nappies being bought and used successfully by parents - but who talks about them? Who trusts them? They need to become the norm and Government needs to create the conditions in which the public have REAL access and REAL choice to REAL nappies.

Do you broadly agree with the proposed role for Local Authorities?

We like what the consultation paper says about partnerships. It’s what we do at Real Nappies for London. Working with a range of local authorities, waste disposal companies and waste collection companies aswellas SMEs and social enterprises to share expertise and offer residents zero waste products and services.

However not all London Local Authorities get nappy waste. There are local authorities who think nappies are not a priority waste stream. The Defra consultation advocates Zipcar and it’s obvious isn’t it? Reducing the number of cars eventually going to be recycled is waste prevention. Cars are big, right? Nappies are small. But think of the total number of babies born in London each day, the total number of disposable nappies used by one baby (4-5,000.) The weight of nappy waste is just 7 kg per week per baby but that turns out to be almost 1 tonne per baby depending on the length of time a child spends in nappies and that is getting longer and longer.

Real Nappies for London not only gives information about alternatives to disposable nappies but also information about how to get your child out of nappies. Again, like sugar filled drinks this is a health issue aswellas a waste issue so a great opportunity to change consumption patterns and reduce ill-health. And back to the point – how much nappy waste is going to landfill compared to car waste? This is the data we need to determine priorities. And willingness to wash nappies? Well that's behaviour change and that's slow, we know that, but we need to start the journey. And most local authorities in London already have, they just need greater leadership.

Do you broadly agree with the proposed role for other organisations and individuals?

This consultation says we can depend on dedicated individuals to make the effort to change behaviour, to set up and work for social enterprises to make zero waste products and services available to the public while we as members of an elected (and unelected) government are afraid to stick our necks out and do what is necessary. The question is, how long are we prepared to do this without support? Yes, I love turning parents on to zero waste nappies, baby wipes etc but we've been waiting for fair trading conditions, a level playing field for too long. We're fed up with huge profitable corporations receiving subsidies for doing the wrong thing - not meeting the cost of disposal of the single-use products they manufacture and market so extravagantly.

Of course realistically at Real Nappies for London we know regulation will not happen with this government. But we can hope that the public catches a glimpse of Prince George in a real nappy over the next 18 months and it has the same effect as the blue polka dot dress! Local authorities that already have real nappy culture growing in their borough will benefit the most.

The conultation documents can be found here

Monday 5 August 2013

Make Real Nappies Simple

That's the message we got from parents who wanted to use real nappies, got a voucher (which we all know takes some effort) but then didn't spend it.

When we asked them what stopped them they told us they were overwhelmed by the choice. So we set them up with 8 nappies, enough to last 24 hours. When they ran out of real nappies they put them in the washing machine and used disposables until the real nappies were clean and dry and ready to use again.

What we gave them was a pack of 6 pre-fold nappies (£3 each), a shaped nappy (£11.99) , 2 waterproof covers (£9 each) , a roll of liners (£3.95) and a stuffable nappy (£15.99).

When we met up a month later the parents told us: "You've got to tell parents all the nappies work. There's nothing to be frightened about." But they also know which ones they like best, what they want more of and how many.

So the message is; buy a few nappies and get started!

Wednesday 24 July 2013

An important role for the royal bottom

There are several reasons why London parents get real nappies:

We don't like to hang around: we want to exit the hospital quickly after the birth. A cloth nappy shows baby has peed and then you can go! More difficult to tell with stay-dry disposables that can prolong the wait at the hospital

We don't want to waste money: if you buy a set of real nappies for approx. £200 instead of spending £10 a week on disposables you've paid off the upfront cost in 20 weeks

We don't like waste: if you use disposable nappies on just one baby your household waste is likely to double

We like incentives such as nappy vouchers, cashbacks and free trial packs from our local London authority. They need us to reduce waste and real nappies saves them c £160 per baby by cutting the nappy waste they have to collect and send to landfill

We want to enjoy changing our babies: you're going to change your baby about 4,500 times you want to love it.

And we're not afraid to stand out from the crowd: just look at these royal nappies in the London Life section of the Evening Standard

Love real nappies, love London, love it if the royal baby's bottom is clad in cloth and joins London babies in reducing disposable nappy waste around the world!

Wednesday 10 July 2013

Ask the Expert | Potty Training



Following our recent blog post New thoughts on Potty Training which received a record amount of interest within a few days, we have asked June Rogers, a paediatric continence specialist with over 20 years experience to answer your questions on toilet/potty and night training.

June will be answering your questions on Wednesday 17th July from 10am until 2pm, on whatever challenges you and your toddler are facing on your potty training journey...so get asking! Please start leaving your questions here now!

Tuesday 9 July 2013

Feedback from our 2013 pilot project

We just want to give you some feedback on a research project we are carrying out at Real Nappies for London. Our aim is to find out why some parents who intend to use real nappies don't get round to it. And when they do, what happens?

We've found some parents who were willing to take a trial pack of real nappies, instead of a voucher. We are offering them additional nappies, wraps, liners etc up to the value of £100 if they agree to meet up with us once a month to let us know how things are going. It's so interesting.

We're approaching the end now as the last meetings are in August. It will all be written up at the end. Meanwhile we just wanted to share some thoughts from the participants. The main things they are saying are:

1 the main barrier was thinking they had to find the perfect nappy. What they've realised is that all the nappies work. But some suit their baby (and lifestyle) more than others. But it's only by using them that you find out.

2 they thought that starting to use real nappies would be a really big project. But their experience is that by starting out with a few nappies and using them part time along-side disposables it hasn't been a big change or needed a big investment of time and effort.

Any additional comments from participants would be great. We know parents love to hear what other parents say directly.

Thursday 4 July 2013

Knowaste nappy recycling plant closed last month

So why isn't Real Nappies for London crowing about this? We said it was a bad idea. It's good news, right?

Actually we just feel sad that it was opened in the first place. We just regret that all the money c £20 million and trust put into this plant wasn't put into nappy laundering services across the UK. It's not great news, it's a missed opportunity and 10 wasted years when we could have been developing the convenient green alternative to disposables; nappy washing services, creating green jobs and local eco-enterprises and reducing the impact of the production, transportation and landfilling of 4,500 single-use nappies per baby.

Wednesday 3 July 2013

A Waste Prevention Plan for England will include nappies, right?

Some of you will know that the government is currently consulting over a Waste Prevention Plan for England. From what we've heard so far nappies will not be mentioned. Defra's argument for not mentioning disposable nappy waste, even though it is 3% of the household waste stream and costs an awful lot of money is that
a the type of nappy you use should be a personal choice (who's calling for a ban of disposable nappies?) and
b washable nappies CAN be as bad for the environment as disposables if people boil, iron and tumble dry them.

So we think these are ridiculous excuses. People who use washables generally do it to be green and so have eco washing routines. At Real Nappies for London we know this because we ask people how they wash their nappies and they tell us. In fact because of the way they wash them they have approximately 40% lower carbon impacts than single use nappies and are zero waste.

Anyway it's pretty clear the way things are going. Central Government is not going to say anything about reducing disposable nappy waste in the Waste Prevention Plan for England due to be out by the end of this year. That means local authorities need to do all they can to incentivise the use of real nappies in their borough to ensure the cost of sending disposable nappy waste (including landfill tax), is brought down. We have some standard letters you can use to send to your local MP and local councillor to ask them to support Real Nappies for London. You can find a link in the bottom right hand corner under News here.

Thursday 27 June 2013

Do Kate & William have a responsibility to role model real nappies?

Real nappies soooo need a celebrity couple! They could make an enormous difference in reducing nappy waste sent to landfill and incineration, not just in the UK but across the globe.

Will they use cotton nappies? Probably, because they're better in so many ways. But will they tell the World? Will they do it publicly? Your thoughts please ....

Thursday 6 June 2013

Competition re chemical exposure during pregnancy

We are really excited that The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) has published this report on Chemical Exposures during Pregnancy: Dealing with Potential, but Unproven, Risks to Child Health.

This can only be a good thing to ensure we can all make an informed choice about exposure to the cocktail of chemicals in the environment. It's not regulation but it's the next best thing.

We want you to tell us the product you most hate, the one you think should never have been put on the market because
a) it's not necessary
b) poses a risk to human health
and
c) damages the environment

Please comment on this blog and then email nappies@lcrn.org.uk (to enter the competition)

The prize is a copy of Healthy, Happy Baby by Pat Thomas. Former Health editor of the Ecologist she is a well respected author, journalist and broadcaster in the field of alternative and environmental health. What we love about Pat is she offers practical alternatives or simply advises; use less, buy less!

We will draw names out of a hat at 12 noon on Thursday 13 June.

Wednesday 15 May 2013

New thoughts on potty training

More and more children every year start school wearing nappies.  The advice of when and how to potty train is being debated.  Parents are getting conflicting advice: you must start potty training before two; children do it themselves when they are ready. Growing evidence, currently anecdotal but significant is suggesting two things:

1 Children need to be prepared for potty training; suddenly introducing a potty and pants at 2-3 years doesn't seem to be working

2 There is no evidence that potty training early does damage.

Children in real nappies tend to potty train earlier but it's not automatic. Some intervention as described below is necessary, especially for first-borns.

There is no set age for your child to potty/toilet train. Every child is different. The most important thing is to prepare your child. Then they can develop an interest and you can read the signs to see when they are ready for you to take away daytime nappies.

We don't delay cleaning our child's teeth until they can do it themselves. We start to clean their teeth as soon as the teeth come through, right? It's the same for toilet training. Teaching your child about pee and poo from an early age is important preparation. (This tends to be most important for the first-born who don't have older siblings as role models.) It means that when the time for potty training arrives (ie removing nappies during the day and using cotton pants - all day, every day) the process will be quicker and easier.

It's also important to note that control of bowels, control of bladder and staying dry at night are 3 different things. They tend to happen at different times. Children can be clean by one, dry by 18 months and dry at night around three. But it depends on the child - and possibly more importantly, you giving your child the stimulation and awareness to show you s/he is ready.

How do we prepare for toilet/potty training?



  • Always talk about poo and pee in a positive way - "Lovely poo, well done"
  • Talk about poo and pee. If your child wears cotton nappies talk about when the nappy is wet and when it is dry.
  • Get a potty. Your child can sit on a potty from an early age. Encourage your child to sit on the potty ONCE a day (if possible when you expect a poo) for a short time (a couple of minutes as a guide). It should be a relaxing time. Nothing needs to happen but if a poo or pee comes give praise to show this is what the potty is for. Warning: don't go overboard with the praise or it will be overwhelming for the child - although the prospect of you child coming out of nappies may be incredibly thrilling to you!
  • Open door policy: let your child see you on the toilet.
  • Visit the library and borrow different books about using the potty.
  • Create a game with your child about helping a teddy or doll to use the potty, praising teddy or dolly when they do a pee or poo on the pot and keep their pants dry. Get your child to role play being the teddy or doll and repeat the steps to you.
  • Visit a home where there are children of a similar age who use the loo and encourage your child to take an interest.

    When to potty train ie when to help your child stop wearing nappies during the day?
  • If you do this preparation your child is highly likely to show an interest - letting you know a nappy is wet or poo is coming.
  • The act of toilet training has been found to help the bladder develop so current thinking is that we do not wait until the child can stay dry for 2 hours
  • Your child may already be using the potty/toilet for poos


    How to start Potty/Toilet Training?
  • Choose a time when your child is showing an interest in the potty and you can spend some time together. Set aside a few days to spend mostly at home and devote the time to helping your child develop this skill. Prepare your child for what is going to happen - that s/he is going to stop wearing nappies during the day.
  • Tell your child that s/he is only going to wear pants from now on during the day and will only wear a nappy at night.
  • Make it exciting. Go on a special shopping trip with your child to buy some cotton pants. If your child is going to use the toilet straight away get a step and a special seat too.
  • For the first few days encourage her/him to sit on the potty/toilet every few hours - about half an hour after a drink. But make sure s/he knows that s/he can also tell you if s/he needs to go, and that you'll accompany her/him whenever s/he wants you to.
  • Some toddlers won't sit on the potty long enough to relax and let anything come out. Calmly encourage her/him to sit there for at least a minute or so. Stay with her/him and talk calmly, or read a story. It's best to start boys off with sitting too. Peeing standing up can be learned later.
  • When your toddler uses the potty successfully, give her/him lots of praise, though don't go too overboard, as s/he may find too much fuss overwhelming. Even if s/he continues to have accidents, s/he'll then start to grasp that getting something in the potty is an accomplishment.
  • When you think your child is ready stop reminding her/him to use the potty/toilet. There may be a few accidents but your child does need to get the feeling of when s/he needs to go to the toilet him/herself. 

    What do we do when we go out?

    Once this process has started be consistent. Stick with it and don't go back to nappies. When you go out you may need a portable toilet so s/he can use it. Choose to spend time at a park with toddler toilets (such as Coram's Fields) or a drop-in with small toilets so that your child will see 'big' boys and 'big' girls going to the loo.


    What if there is no progress?

    If you feel that your child is not ready after all go back to nappies and try again when your child shows an interest. This process takes co-operation. Your child should be an active participant. Be consistent in whatever seems right for your child.

    What about night training?
    Most children become dry at night within 6 months or so of becoming dry in the day but up to 20% will still wet at age 5 years. If so parents need to speak with their school nurse or GP re appropriate treatment to help their child become dry.

    What about children with special needs?
    Having special needs does not mean that your child cannot become toilet trained. Get expert advice
    PromoCon
    Disabled Living
    Tel: 0161 607 8219
    Email: promocon@disabledliving.co.uk
    Website: www.promocon.co.uk
    PromoCon, working as part of Disabled Living Manchester,
    provides impartial advice and information regarding a whole
    range of products, such as musical potties and other toilet
    training equipment and swimwear and washable trainer pants
    for children who have delayed toilet training.
    Information is also available regarding which services and
    resources are available for both children and adults with bowel
    and/or bladder problems



    If you're interested in your child developing bowel and bladder control from an early age have a look at this post on Elimination Communication. In particular see comments from parents who have experience of this method.


    Help needed
    This advice is based on listening to parents, health visitors and paediatric continence professionals over the last 15 years.  Comments on this draft welcome!







    http://www.realnappiesforlondon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/are-potty-training-methods-in-west.html
  • Saturday 4 May 2013

    Use it or Lose it

    The future of Real Nappies for London and its voucher scheme is not guaranteed. We need to prove that there's a demand for the vouchers and it is growing. Please tell your friends about the voucher, your NCT group or midwife. Let us know of good places or people who are happy to put up posters or give out leaflets.

    One of the other benefits of the scheme is that it encourages the development of real nappy networks, for example the Hackney Real Nappy Network (HRNN). This group of parents hold lots of events including the very successful Real Nappy Flashmob, to draw attention to real nappies; how great they look these days, how easy they are to use and of course the fact that they reduce waste (approx 7kg per week per baby)!

    The RNfL voucher scheme also supports shops that sell real nappies, nappy laundry services and the companies that run nappy information sessions so you can see, touch and feel and ask questions about real nappies before you buy them. Please do buy from these suppliers with your voucher. They will only continue to exist if they can keep operating in this difficult economic phase. Some of you use these events for information but then look for the cheapest deal on-line. Please remember, these companies have costs to cover; rent, staff, room hire, travel to and from events with stock. We need to support them so they can continue to offer this valuable service.

    Another blog that may interest you: Remember the Waste Hierarchy

    Thursday 25 April 2013

    Should we expect new borns to sleep through the night?

    For many years now parents have been telling us they put their baby in a disposable so they can get a good night's sleep. Usually the idea came from their NCT teacher. Was this useful advice?

    This articles in the BMJ says parents shouldn't expect their babies to sleep through the night.

    This advice also has implications for continuing breastfeeding. If you want to see the full article it's accessible via this NZ web site you can read it here. Download the pdf.


    If you want more information this web site looks useful: Infant sleep information


    This has reminded me of the way P&G (Pampers) got mums in China to use disposable nappies. They ran ads to say a disposable nappy would give the baby a good night's sleep and make the child more intelligent.

    Here's a study that says this may be true - after one year! So that's when babies in cotton nappies would be sleeping through the night anyway.


    For more on Pampers in China see this post by Futerra.

    It's just annoying to see the misinformation given to new parents by businesses that put profit before caring for the interests of their customers - and the planet. But eventually the truth does come out.


    Another related post that may be of interest: on bed wetting

    Tuesday 23 April 2013

    Best Real Nappy Week Ever!

    This Real Nappy Week, in the lead up to Defra’s call for evidence: Waste Prevention Programme for England (deadline for submissions 29 April) has demonstrated a massive success by businesses, local authorities and real nappy activists to engage a particular group of consumers – expectant and new parents – in reducing disposable nappy waste. I also want to pay tribute to the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) for campaigning to reduce disposable nappy waste since 1989.

    What we can see at Real Nappies for London is that
    despite the Environment Agency’s Nappy Life Cycle Analysis, published in 2005 that said washables were no better for the environment than disposables (the update published in 2008 said reusable nappies can have up to 40% lower carbon impacts than disposables;
    despite the availability of ‘bio-degradable’ disposables that simply go to landfill and incineration;
    despite the increasing number of Bounty Packs (junk mail, right?) given to expectant and new mums by the midwife containing samples of disposable nappies;
    despite Pampers’ sponsorship of the leading parenting charity the National Childbirth Trust (NCT;
    despite the vouchers and offers on disposable nappies with high visibility on the shelves of supermarkets;
    despite the ‘free’ disposal of nappies as part of household waste,
    interest in real nappies is growing all the time.

    But nappy waste disposal is not free of course. Our councils pay for it ie we do. It was WEN that identified this hidden subsidy and championed the Waste Minimisation Act. Before this act local authorities could pay for waste disposal but it was illegal for them to spend tax payers money on reducing or preventing waste. It was this act that allowed councils to give incentives and rewards to residents for reducing disposable nappy waste and to promote real nappies during Real Nappy Week.

    And disposable nappies are not just a waste issue. They also have negative physical and mental health impacts. This modern convenience product possibly does more harm than good. And it’s not just our children. Our elderly in hospitals and care homes are being left in disposable continence products and changed as part of a routine, rather than helped to the toilet according to need. It's not the staff who are at fault, it's bad routines and procedures. In the wake of the Francis Report it’s time to say we want to learn from the mistakes that report reveals, which many of us have witnessed and reported.

    When convenience products mean the needs of the most vulnerable in our society are neglected; the young, the disabled and the elderly, we need to work together to change things for the better. Small actions undertaken by individuals will mean together we can make real change happen for all our futures but also to improve the lives of those we love, ASAP and forever.

    WEN has more great work to do, more big issues to tackle. It has been the pioneer of many campaigns that are now part of the mainstream. Learn more, visit www.wen.org.uk

    Wednesday 17 April 2013

    Why don't parents use real nappies?

    That's the question that was fired at me (Hilary Vick) on Radio 4's You and Yours last Thursday. My response was that it's because disposable nappies are promoted in the hospitals via free samples and vouchers in the Bounty pack, via the National Childbirth Trust (the sponsorship money from P&G helps the NCT's work but surely association with the respected NCT charity brings P&G more sales of Pampers) and they are so visible and easily available in the supermarkets. This makes disposable nappies 'normal nappies' and most of us like to follow the norm, especially when we're feeling insecure because we've just had a life-transforming experience; like having a baby!

    Under these circumstances the surprising thing is that so many parents use real nappies, right? And I've asked lots of you why you do it. And usually it's because it makes you feel good. You love the fact that you're not sending all that nappy waste to landfill. And you also tell me you do so much washing when you have a baby that washing nappies doesn't feel like a big deal.

    And that's an important point. As two of the Swansea mums on You and Yours said, even the offer of a £100 incentive doesn't get them over the thing that really puts them off; washing dirty nappies. Indeed, research by Go Real (the national real nappy campaign), funded by the Waste and Resources Action Programe (WRAP) said fear of the 'mess' of washing nappies is the main barrier to people opting for real nappies.

    But is washing nappies messy? It's true babies poo a lot in the first few weeks (if you can call that mustard coloured curdled milk poo. It doesn't even smell unpleasant, it just has a sort of sweet yeasty smell.) But within a few weeks many babies only poo once a day or less. That means most nappies are only damp. But how can we could get that message across?

    As many of you know, 10 years ago I set up a nappy laundry service in London. Most people sign up because they are afraid of the washing or don't have the space to dry nappies. What happens is that about 50% of the people who sign up to use the laundry service find out - from their own experience - that after baby is weaned (about 6 months) there are only about 5 nappies a day and most of them are only damp. So they stop using the laundry service and wash them at home.

    So let's get these messages out this Real Nappy Week:
    1 most nappies are merely damp
    2 using real nappies makes you feel good
    3 you're not a disposable nappy parent; you just wanted everything to settle down before you got started on real nappies, right?

    And by the way, wet nappies do not cause nappy rash, as said by one mum who contacted You and Yours. If your baby gets nappy rash when using cotton nappies you need to find out the real cause.

    Thursday 4 April 2013

    Thank You for Using Real Nappies

    The last quarter of the financial year 2012/13 has just finished and we want to thank the growing number of parents, childminders and nurseries in London using washable nappies.

    Based on our database we issued 1,387 vouchers last year (1 April '12 to 31 March '13). You have spent 942 of them already. Our database calulates that 3,110 babies were wearing washable nappies (bought with RNfL vouchers) during that period resulting in at least 620 tonnes of disposable nappy waste NOT going to landfill or incineration.

    So you prevented over 3.3 million single-use nappies going to landfill and incineration during the period 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013. This is great and we want to thank you.

    If everyone who used RNfL vouchers used real nappies 100% of the time you changed around 931,000 real nappies in the last quarter of the year. That’s 71,610 real nappy changes every week, over 10,000 every day. And this doesn't account for all of you who haven't claimed vouchers but use real nappies you were given by friends and family, bought or acquired second-hand or just bought them without a voucher.

    To give you a sense of what you have achieved by using real nappies you can look at the figures put out by the nappy recycling business Go Green . But it's better than that because not only did you prevent disposable nappies going to landfill, incineration or recycling. You prevented those single-use nappies being manufactured, packaged, sent to the supermarket, transported to your home and then transported to the recycling plant.


    Viva la revolution!

    Thursday 7 March 2013

    Real Nappy Flashmob

    Really excited about the first ever London Real Nappy Flashmob. It's TOMORROW, Friday 8 March. On the Southbank.

    This is hosted by the Hackney Real Nappy Network as a Climate Week Event to draw attention to the fact that the carbon impacts of real nappies can be up to 40% lower than those of disposable nappies. With the additional bonus of being Zero Waste.

    Sorry to those of you who can't be there because you are working. But there's another opportunity coming up to show off your baby in a real nappy. Camden-based Nappy Ever After will be celebrating its 10th birthday at Coram's Fields on Sunday 24 March. As part of the event there will be a real nappy fashion show.

    And if you're not able to come to that, there is the Great Cloth Nappy Change at the Bethnal Green Museum of Childhood on Saturday 20 April with another real nappy fashion show. So save the date! And if you live in West London there is a Great Cloth Nappy Change happening in Hillingdon.

    Because we love real nappies!

    Friday 1 March 2013

    An uncomfortable truth

    Perhaps Pampers are green. Research carried out by Kiel University in Germany suggests throwaway nappies may reduce male fertility. This could mean that over the long term, disposables may curb population growth across the world. Then the SAP filled disposable nappy will turn out to be the greenest nappy afterall. And that cotton nappies may ensure the survival of the human race.

    Great short video introduction to real nappies on You Tube

    Wednesday 27 February 2013

    Is recycling disposable nappies the answer?

    Recycling disposable nappy waste is being sold to the public as ‘green’. But is it? Because of the massive industrial scale of the nappy recycling plants there would only ever be 6 in the UK. That means the nappy waste has to be transported to the site over long distances. Not only this, the environmental impacts of recycling disposable nappy waste are high (as are the running costs) because it takes a lot of water and carbon to run the process.

    We are told that recycling is the ‘realistic’ option because people enjoy the convenience of disposable nappies. It's true people use disposables because they are sold in supermarkets, advertised on TV and in the Bounty pack, free to throw away and ‘normal’. But our research at RNfL shows that if expectant parents know 3 or more people who use real nappies they are not just likely to try real nappies but also very likely to continue to use them. Therefore the task is to make real nappies normal again – as they were just 30 years ago.

    But what about the impacts of washing real nappies? According to a government report in 2008 washing nappies at home can have up to 40% lower carbon impacts than using disposable nappies. At RNfL we believe local nappy laundry services in metropolitan areas could have even lower impacts (if they use ozone to sterilise the nappies rather than heat and plug-in electric vehicles for deliveries and collections) and really help families living in small flats with nowhere to dry nappies.

    And the other benefits? Zero waste nappies save parents money. They also save local authorities money because with real nappies there is no nappy waste to collect and send to landfill, incineration or the recycling plant.

    The cost of recycling disposables is just going to go up and up. Savvy boroughs know this and offer incentives to their residents to try real nappies. They are developing a culture of real nappy use amongst their residents that will grow and grow and bring down costs over the long-term and more importantly, protect the planet for future generations.

    Thursday 31 January 2013

    If not vouchers for all then ...

    We understand that real nappy vouchers for all with prescription exemption cards may take time to set up. It's really important that people get information about alternatives to disposable nappies urgently. So why can't the NHS just put some information about Go Real - the impartial national real information web site - with the prescription exemption card? That way at least it balances out all the advertising for disposables given out by Bounty and the NCT.

    Let us know your views. Anyone up for starting an on-line petition?