Real nappies celebrated

The arguments in favour of washable, reusable nappies have been brought to the public eye in Manchester as the city took part in the promotion of Real Nappy Week.


The city celebrated the tenth anniversary of the promotion with a roadshow in Picadilly Gardens highlighting modern alternatives to wasteful disposable nappies.

A range of reusable nappies hung from a washing line and there demonstrations to show passers by how to use them.

In line with many forward-thinking local authorities (see related story).

Manchester City Council is offering a month’s free trial for up to a hundred residents with Cottontails home laundry service that delivers freshly washed re-usable nappies to the door.

In the UK an estimated eight million disposable nappies are thrown away every day, creating an enormous impact on our landfill space. The Women’s Environmental Network, which coordinates Real Nappy Week, estimates a saving of £500 on the cost of keeping babies in nappies by purchasing nappies and washing at home.

Reusable nappies have come a long way since the days of old fashioned terries with awkward pins: they are now trendy, colourful and easy to use.

There are, however, those who argue that on balance disposable nappies have a similar environmental footprint as they do not require detergents and energy to be used on washing (see related story).

But Manchester is urging parents to consider their options and help reduce the waste mountain.

Cllr Paul Murphy, the city council’s executive member for direct services said: “New parents need all the help they can get to make life easier for them in those first few months, and the free home nappy laundry offer from Manchester City Council saves having to go to the shops or spending a fortune on disposable nappies.”

Manchester residents interested in the free trial should visit the Manchester City Council website.

Sam Bond

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