Nursery World - It pays to go back to real nappies

Local authorities are paying parents up to 80 to swap disposable nappies for cloth ones that can be reused in a bid to tackle the growing 'nappy mountain'. Nearly three billion nappies are thrown away in the UK every year, with 90 per cent ending up in landfill sites.

Nearly three billion nappies are thrown away in the UK every year, with 90 per cent ending up in landfill sites.

Three Rivers District Council in Hertfordshire is offering 80 towards the cost of laundry services for those using real cotton nappies.

Harrow Council is offering a grant of 60 to buy cotton nappies and parents in Cheshire can claim up to 25 towards the cost of cotton nappies or receive one month's free laundry service.

Meanwhile, organisations across London are encouraging health visitors, midwives, Sure Start staff and nurseries to change from disposable to cotton nappies.

Real Nappies London, a project run by the Women's Environmental Network, has launched an educational toolkit for health professionals highlighting the health and environmental benefits and the low cost to parents.

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