Disposable nappies now account for well over 80% of the nappy market. £40 million pounds is spent annually on the collection and disposal of 800,000 tonnes of nappy waste throughout the UK.

A single disposable nappy takes approx. 500 years to break down in a landfill site. Furthermore, at least 100 viruses found in faeces can survive for over two weeks in rubbish, and runoff from a landfill site containing such viruses contaminate ground water supplies. Not many parents realise that it is actually illegal to dispose of a disposable nappy without cleaning it off first.

Health is a major consideration for parents when bringing up their baby. However, the potential for irritants is much greater with disposables than washables (in terms of bleach, optical brightners, perfumes, dyes, super absorbent chemicals and plastics). Parents can also save up to £1500 by using REAL Nappies rather than disposals, from new-born to potty training.

The absolute objective of the awareness campaign will be to provide parents with an informed choice between disposables and washables; and to raise awareness on the environmental, financial and health benefits associated with modern reusable cotton nappies. Parents need to regard REAL reusable cotton nappies as the norm rather than the environmental alternative.

 

The awareness campaign will be centred around midwife and health professionals' training as they are the key to success because they can exemplify good practices to parents from the early stages of pregnancy in antenatal classes. The earlier parents receive information, the more likely they are to use reusables. Secondly a 'nappy information drop-in day' will be organised so that parents and representatives from community organisations can come and find out more.

And finally ...REAL nappies are the way forward for the future, not a step back as many people, especially large disposable companies, would have you believe. Through my research for this project I have spoken to many mothers, including working mums, who have stressed how easy and convenient REAL nappies are to use.

One thing is certain, we cannot continue using disposable nappies at such an overwhelming extent. The increased use of disposables over the last two decades, has already left an alarming legacy for future generations to deal with for many, many years to come.