Bottoms up! £70 Voucher for EWWR 2015

We're so excited to let you know that residents in boroughs covered by the North London Waste Authority (NLWA), that's Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington and Waltham Forest can get £70 off the cost of real nappies.  But it's just for THIS week: European Week of Waste Reduction (EWWR) 21-29 November, so get your application in fast.  Please note you must have a baby under 18 months on the date of applying and not had a nappy voucher or cashback for that baby already.  See more here.

The NLWA real nappy incentive scheme was piloted back in 2003 in the London borough of Camden.  It was just £35 and only available to nappy laundry service customers.  It was such a success it spread to the other NLWA boroughs.  Residents who washed their own nappies were furious that the nappy cashback was not available to them.  The NLWA very quickly bowed to their demand and made it available to them.

In 2004 the Women's Environmental Network (WEN) working in partnership with other London boroughs and the NLWA did an extensive piece of research to find out whether giving out free nappies, a real nappy cashback or a voucher was the most effective incentive to get more people to try real nappies.  In 2007 the Real Nappies for London voucher scheme was established, open to all London boroughs and administered by the London Community Resource Network (LCRN).  The idea is that a pan-London real nappy scheme brings down the costs.

Indeed it has worked.  Boroughs pay £10 for the administration of each voucher redeemed by a resident.  The cost of collection and disposal of a tonne of nappy waste is approximately £160 per tonne (it differs between boroughs) so even if some people don't continue to use the nappies (we assume half a tonne of nappy waste avoided per voucher redeemed to allow for no use, part-time and full-time use) the voucher scheme saves boroughs money.

Anecdotally we know that even when the voucher recipient doesn't turn into a real nappy user s/he tends to pass on the reusable nappies to a friend or neighbour.  In this way real nappy culture has been spreading through informal networks not just within the voucher areas but beyond.

Real nappy culture spreads through social networks, both real and online and part of that is tips on getting your children out of nappies.  Another benefit of the Real Nappies for London scheme and real nappy use in general is knowledge about potty training.  In Brazil, where the switch from cloth nappies to disposables happened over a very short period (in the UK it took about 30 years for the disposable nappy to become 'normal') they have seen a dramatic rise in the length of time children spend in nappies, clearly increasing nappy waste. 

The Real Nappies for London journey has not been smooth.  During the R&D phase a life cycle nappy report came out (2005) that said the environmental impacts of disposables and cloth nappies were about the same, neither had an environmental advantage.  This report gained massive media coverage; it caused a sensation partly because it seemed so unbelievable.  And it's not surprising as it wasn't true!   In 2008 an update of the Environment Agency's report came out that said cloth nappies could have up to 40% lower carbon impacts than disposables (and of course they're virtually zero waste) but this report received scant media attention.

The myth has remained for the last 10 years that it's just a matter of lifestyle choice.  It's not.  People who use washable nappies are making a difference: they are significantly reducing the environmental impact their baby has on the planet.  And as you can see here in this 30 second film, it makes them feel good!

Please spread the word.  Sign up and get your £70 voucher to try real nappies today.

I’ve been forced to post this as I’ve been told by the DH that they have nothing more to say to me on the subject

Hilary Vick says the Department of Health (DH) needs to stand up to commercial interests and give parents fair access to information about alternatives to disposable nappies 

I’m very disappointed about the reply (see it at the end of this post) I’ve received from the DH.  I wanted to find out the possibility of sending information about reusable nappies to mothers in a particular London borough with their Maternity Exemption Certificates.  All expectant mothers receive this within a few weeks of registering their pregnancy with their GP.  It seems to me an ideal way to inform expectant mothers about reusable nappies.

By the way, you may be scratching your head as to why a local initiative like this needs approval from the DH.  I agree, this is ridiculous, especially as it's the local authority that covers the cost of nappy waste and children arriving at school in nappies - but that's how it is, I've checked. 

I admit I expected a negative response.  I expected them to say it couldn’t be done.  I didn’t expect the reason to be that people are informed enough already about real nappies by the DH via the Choices website.  It’s so ridiculous.  If you’re talking about giving parents choice about alternatives to disposable nappies it’s a nonsense.  

Not only do disposables take up huge space on the shelves in the supermarket, but supermarkets discount the product aggressively to lure sleep-deprived customers to their stores.  What's more Pampers can afford to give free samples in the Bounty packs given out by midwives throughout pregnancy and sponsor the National Childbirth Trust (NCT).  In addition most maternity units tell women to bring disposable nappies with them.  The other thing that normalizes disposables is that collection & disposal of nappy waste from households is completely free.  What's more  if you put in the words 'nappies' or even 'reusable nappies' into a web search, Pampers comes up top.  Indeed if you put in a search for 'potty training' Pampers comes up top frequently too.  

Where is the nappy page of the Choices website when you search for ‘nappies’ on the internet? If NHS Choices was a company looking for business and its income/survival depended on getting found they would be dead and gone. In fact I’ve just done a search.  The ‘Which’ guide to nappies came up on the 6^th page.  I gave up my search for the nappies page of the Choices website after page 11 when I found this story in the Daily Mail:

“Why I blame middle-class mothers for the six-year-olds sent to school in nappies”

PS  I don’t blame parents.  I blame the nappy companies that irresponsibly misinform parents about how and when to potty train because of the financial benefits for them.  I  believe in the free market and minimum state intervention but I think this is a case when even Adam Smith would say the state needs to reign in the greed of the free market.  But is the state itself now reliant on the income it gets from tax on nappy waste?  What a mess we’ve got ourselves into since a weak government caved into the demands of the disposable nappy industry and allowed it to frame the nappy debate in May 2005 “No nappy system is better environmentally.  It’s up to parents to choose the nappy that best suits their lifestyle.”

Here's our potty training advice.  It has been approved by a leading pediatric continence adviser, June Rogers MBE, BA, MSc, RN, RSCN

The Department of Health believes that new parents should be aware of the choice between disposable and washable (reusable) nappies.  However, there are no plans to provide information about washable nappies with the maternity exemption certificate.

 

The Department regards the choice between disposable and washable nappies as a matter of parental preference.  Information about nappies, including washable nappies, is available on the NHS Choices website and can be accessed by clicking on the following link:

 

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/nappies.aspx#close .

   

This link includes information about the difference between the disposable and washable nappies and includes an indicative cost breakdown for both.  In addition, the page includes a link to ‘Go Real’, the advisory site for washable nappies ( http://www.goreal.org.uk ), which contains a comprehensive guide to the benefits of using washable nappies.

 

I hope this reply is helpful. 

Please feel free to comment below and let us know your thoughts.

Real Nappy Week Mythbuster #1 - washable nappies are too expensive

You don't have to spend lots of money when you start using real nappies.  Whether you are starting with a new born or at 6 weeks, 6 months or later you can find reusable nappies to meet your budget.

Our advice: work out how much money you will/do spend on disposable nappies per week.  If it's £10 then if you spend £100 on reusable nappies you will be saving money within 12 weeks (to allow for cost of disposable liners, detergent and power for the washing machine).

Plus in some London boroughs you can get a voucher worth up to £54.15 or a real nappy starter pack.  To find out more visit www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk

Pre-folds are cheap and can often be picked up FREE at NCT sales and on Freecycle.  They really should be the backbone of any nappy stash.  To find out why click here

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

Part 3: How did people react? - Guest post

Having plunged into the world of cloth nappies armed with little more than a (nappy) bucket full of enthusiasm and the words of a couple of wise mums ringing in my ears, I encountered a few challenges and differing opinions.

My husband wanted me to try the nappies out properly first before he had a go, even though he was keen on using them (for the record, he’s now happily using them and even helps me stuff the pockets once they’re washed and dried).

I hadn’t really understood the importance of washing the nappies before using them so there were a few leaks. This can be quite frustrating, especially if you’re trying to persuade others that cloth is a good idea. The daft thing is that we had more (and worse) leaks in disposables than we have ever had in cloth, but I suppose you’re more conscious of it when you start with cloth because you really want it to work, and sometimes it can feel like everyone is willing you to fail.

There were a few funny looks from people who thought I would be boiling terry towels on a stove for hours until I explained that things have moved on a bit. The nurses at my GP surgery were very impressed with the nappies when I took my little one for his injections – and agreed to point anyone who asked in my direction.

Luckily for me, my family have been very supportive, mainly because they used cloth themselves – I’m the first of my generation to have a baby so nappies haven’t been on the radar for a while. My mum’s initial reaction on hearing my enthusiastic “I’m going to try cloth nappies” was something along the lines of “as opposed to what?”!

My remarkably eco-conscious great-aunt (90+ years old) interrogated me after William was born about my nappy choices. At the time I was so overwhelmed with becoming a mum that my contribution to the planet extended only to “eco” disposables. My aunt inspired me further with the words “there’s nothing more satisfying than having a row of sparkling white terry towels drying on the line”.

William has recently started nursery and the look of abject horror on his key worker’s face when I mentioned cloth nappies was only topped by the relief when I showed her how easy the pocket nappies are.

I was pleased to discover a few others using cloth nappies when I made a comment about them on Facebook recently. And lots of mums ask me about cloth nappies when they see William wearing them. I’ve done a couple of demos for friends and have spoken to many people who, like me, were considering using them but hadn’t quite got around to it.

I’ve also lent out a few cloth nappies to people who complained that “I just can’t get a night nappy that doesn’t leak” and have been amazed with the results. Others less so, but it’s all individual and depends on the baby.

As you may be able to tell, I’m loving cloth nappies – and there’s always something new to discover. But the key thing is to get support when you need it. Ideally there would be widespread “cloth bum” cafes, just like there are breastfeeding cafes for mums to come together and share experiences. Who knows, this may be where I make my millions (unlikely!).

Have a look at this You Tube video for a quick intro to real nappies.

Tomorrow: Why on earth (pun intended) would we do this? Aren’t disposables so much more convenient? How do the costs stack up?

Helen's First guest post:
My Washable Nappy Journey?

Part 2: What happened next? - guest blog

So what happened next? Strangely, the world did not end. I used the nappies on my baby. I washed the nappies. I dried the nappies. This was in autumn/winter when drying outside was not really possible so we were restricted to clothes horses in front of a radiator. The house did not smell of stale pee and there weren’t buckets of noxious substances soaking all over the place.

Actually, to my great surprise and delight, my little one was dry all night for the first time ever. I was lucky (don’t hate me, it’s all changed now) that he slept for 8-10 hours a night from quite early on. No matter how many different disposable “night” nappies I had tried – even to the extent of a size four over a size three – there were always leaks come morning time.

Interestingly it was not the shaped bamboo nappies (bamboo is super absorbent and often recommended for night use) that kept him dry, but the pocket nappies with both the newborn and regular inserts. I’ve since learned how to boost nappies, and how the different materials work. A prefold cotton nappy inside a bamboo shaped nappy and he’ll go for hours. But every baby is different.

I gradually developed a system for how to wash and dry my stash and how often this needed doing. I estimate that it only takes me about 15-20 minutes every couple of days to wash, hang out and reassemble my nappies. It’s a learning experience – like everything baby-related there is no right answer, you have to find out what works for you. Which is great because you can adapt it all to your needs and preferences.

There were a few disasters to start with – mainly caused by not having prewashed enough – bamboo particularly requires 8-10 washes before it reaches full absorbency. Luckily by then I knew a few people I could ask for help and there are some great information-packed websites: Real Nappies for London, Go Real, Nappy Ever After, manufacturers’ sites, Facebook and Babycentre Community Cloth Nappy group.

The latter has been a fantastic source of information – other cloth-wielding mums have a wealth of knowledge about real nappies and are always happy to help, even if someone asked the same question yesterday (although I’d recommend having a look through the board before asking in case someone has already posted a similar query).

By then I was truly bitten by the bug. Someone told me about a website where you could get really cheap pocket nappies. With penguins on. And fluffy ones with safari animals. And then someone launched a new birth-to-potty pocket nappy. So I thought I’d better try one out. I’m currently saving my pennies for a purple bamboo shaped nappy. And waiting for a delivery of washable wipes and washable liners. I could, of course, have just cut up a towel and used that. And I probably will at some point. I may still use disposable wipes for particularly awkward nappy moments, or when out and about. A word of warning: it gets addictive.

Tomorrow: How did people react? What were the challenges I had to deal with in terms of attitudes?

The Real Nappy Week message this year is Real nappies… Real easy!

At Real Nappies for London we think this is absolutely true and here’s why:

We're all the same, when we think about changing a nappy we imagine the worst! In reality most nappies are simply damp.

You can use disposable bio-degradable liners with real nappies. That means that if a nappy is soiled most of the poo can go down the loo.

Many babies give cues to tell you that they are about to soil. They are born with a natural instinct to be clean. If your baby does this you may find your baby likes you to remove the nappy to enable her/him to poo on a pot. Less washing, real easy.

A laundry bag in a bucket with a lid means you store the nappies – most people don’t soak nappies these days – until you have a machine load. Then you lift out the bag and throw it in the machine. The nappies fall out of the bag during the wash cycle. It’s as clean and simple as that.

Soapnuts and special nappy detergents mean there is no need to wash nappies at more than 60 degrees. Beyond 6 months, 40 degrees is normally fine.

If nappies are not completely clean and fresh when they come out of the washing machine (it does depend on your washing machine) start with a cold rinse cycle before the normal wash cycle.

Shaped nappies in modern light weight materials are available for parents who can’t or don’t like folding flat nappies. For those who do like wrapping baby in a cotton nappy (snug fit for new borns) there is no need for pins. Waterproof wraps hold the nappy in place or you can use a nappy grip.

Fleece liners are available for babies that don’t like feeling wet. Please note that stay dry nappies, whether reusable or disposable don’t give baby the stimulation to experiment with bladder control so try to give baby stimulation some of the time. Our research indicated that wearing cotton nappies before 6 months makes potty training happen earlier, quicker and more easily.

You don’t need to change a real nappy any more often than you should change any nappy ie every 3-4 hours (during waking hours). The incidence of nappy rash has not declined since the dominance of disposable nappies. Nappy rash is caused by teething, illness, change of diet and most of all not changing the nappy frequently enough.

People who use real nappies say they are fantastic and producing less waste makes them feel great about the whole nappy changing business.

Visit http://www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk/nappytypes/ to help you find out which nappies will be best for you and your baby.

Check out events happening during Real Nappy Week across London where you can get information from a mum who has used real nappies and meet other mums who are using them:
http://www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk/realnappyweek/

The Great Cloth Diaper Change is an opportunity to watch real parents changing real nappies. It's happening at 5.30pm on Saturday 21 April in Camden, Hackney and Lewisham.

Enjoy real nappies, enjoy your baby.