Leaflet helps parents get happy about nappies

Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council have produced a new leaflet that will help parents make informed decisions about whether or not to use real nappies.

The leaflet has been put together to outline all the benefits of real nappies, not just for waste prevention, but for their babies too.

Not only do these nappies take decades to break down after they've been taken to landfill, it is also increasingly costly for the council to pay for such disposal, a cost that's passed on to the council taxpayer.

Real nappies have seen huge leaps in development over the years and according to campaigners are light years away from the grey Terry toweling nappies soaking in a bucket that many people will remember. More and more parents that switch from disposable to real nappies say that their babies seem happier in those that can be re-used.

Herefordshire Council has helped spread the word of real nappies through its highly successful Nappaccino Mornings, held in Hereford. Parents can drop in for a chat with other families already using real nappies to talk about their experiences - and enjoy a great cup of coffee into the bargain. There is also a real nappy advisor on-hand to demonstrate a whole range of nappies and answer any questions people may have.

The new leaflet carries details of these events, along with information on the changes in real nappy technology, such as the introduction of Velcro fasteners instead of safety pins. They are available at libraries, Hubs or by visiting http://www.wastemissionimpossible.org.uk/ or by calling Mission Impossible on 01905 766883.

Laura Preece, Herefordshire Council's recycling officer, said: "The word is certainly getting out in the county about real nappies and more and more parents are waking up to not only the benefits for baby, but also the benefits for them. By using real nappies, they can save money, as well as play a part in helping to prevent waste.

"What is clear is that the message about how different real nappies are now to how they were is finally getting through. Some people may dismiss real nappies out of hand, but those that look at the alternative are very surprised when they see a real nappy in the 21st century," she added.

Also in the leaflet are details of a scheme that allows parents to claim £30 cashback when they buy £50 worth of real nappies, or claim a free pack of "pre-fold" nappies. The scheme, run with social enterprise group Green Nappies, has been running since March.

Each child can use up to 6,000 disposable nappies in their lifetime and eight million disposable nappies are thrown away every day in the UK. More than 90 per cent of disposable nappies are disposed of in landfill and may take up to 500 years to decompose.

The average spend on disposable nappies can be as much as £922.74 per child over two and a half years. Real nappies can be used again and again and on your next child, saving more money.

Further information about Nappaccino Mornings is available by calling the Mission Impossible team on 01905 766883.