Waste prevention: Re-usable diapers

The UK disposes of around 3 billion disposable nappies each year, representing an estimated 2% to 3% of all household waste.

WHAT WORKED WELL

• By the time one baby is potty trained the baby could use 4,000 to 6,000 disposable nappies. In comparison, a baby only needs around 20 to 30 modern real nappies and these can also be used by any siblings that come along.
• Although real nappies cost a few pounds each initially and need to be laundered, real nappies can save parents around £200 to £500 over 2.5 years for their first baby and even more if re-used for subsequent children.

LESSONS LEARNED

• Including a Nappy Finder which lists all trial kits, council schemes, laundries and other nappy services.
• Offering a local authority membership package which includes support and advice which can be tailored to the local authority.

WORKING GROUP

• Reusable nappie producer
• Local authorities
• Waste and Resources Action Programme (which operates as WRAP), a registered UK Charity