Is this the end of the real nappy networks?

[GreebosWhiskers]

I'm a member of our local network & just got emailed a link to this article by one of the other girls.

I've emailed them my twopenceworth but ran out of space to finish my rant.

I haven't read the actual report but if it is anything like the one out a couple of years ago that assumed that everyone washed nappies at 90C and then tumble dried them then they would reach the conclusion that there is no energy saving.

However that is not the same as reducing landfill which real nappies certainly do. Add to the fact that they can be used for more than one child and are cheaper there are still a lot of benefits.

The campaign does seem to have cost a lot and not produced a real increase in users of real nappies, so in a way it seems sensible to cut down the amount spent.

As I say I haven't seen the actual report so can't comment on the findings really.

PMSL at the comments.

All it needs now is someone to say "It's PC Gorn Maaad" and it'll be a typical DM pile of wank

OMG - what a load of RUBBISH - how on earth can the repeated use of cotton nappies in a family create the same amount of rubbish/ energy use as using foul nasty disposables?

Surely if the environmental impact REALLY is the same (which I very much doubt) then the financial incentive to families remains?
I have no plans to recycle biodegradable nappies onto my compost heap - surely that can't be safe? Human compost has to go through a whole LOAD of processes before it is safe to use as compost. Suggesting we compost our babies nappies is revolting.

It would be a crying shame if the real nappies incentives are dropped - but I will get my claim in quick from my local government - knwing how slowly these things filter down = they probably don't know yet.....

Do disposables have VAT charged on them? Cynically wondering the government want people to continue using as many as possible in order to get more revenue.

I'm at the comment that you should be able to dispose of nappies in the garden compost bin. Erm, surely you can't put human poo in the compost bin?!

The report a few years ago actually had us ironing our nappies as well!

You can put wet nappies in a composter as wee is actually good for the composting process but never dirty ones (we used to use Weenees pouch pants with the plastic-free disposable pads 'til I decided I wanted to go over to cloth) but what about all the plastic crap on 'normal' disposables?

the report this is decision is based on is the one that came out a couple of years ago. according to wen there's another due out this year that should address some of the false assumptions that was based on, so it seems a bit bizarre to be making these kinds of funding decisions now.

THe trouble is that the people writing the report have probably never used the real nappies themselves or they'd know that it is completely unnecessary to wash them at such high temperatures and tumble dry them--unless the weather is appalling and the radiators are off. A good blow on the washing line freshens everything up perfectly as well.

Mine went in the family wash with other children's clothinghaving, if necessarybeen soaked before. And often this wasn't neededthe liners make all the difference. And we only ever had about 20 nappiesfor two children. As for ironing them---give me strength!

I really question the methodology of this survey.

Its based on the original report.

They are working on a decent report now.

No VAT on nappies - disps or cloth.

The compost issue - you aren't meant to put ANY poo in the bin - poo from disposables is meant to be flushed.

Lots of info on reusable nappies and that report on the women's environmental network website

FGS, it's a Daily Mail article!

ye... but the same summary appeared in the Telgraph yesterday -the research wasn't done by the Daily Mail...

OT but VAT is paid on things like nappi nippas, nappy buckets etc

WRAP issued the following response to it yesterday;

WRAP PRESS INFORMATION
3 July 2007

In response to the recent article in the Daily Mail (Tuesday 3rd July
2007), WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) would make the
following comments:

? The Life Cycle Analysis report carried out by the Environment
Agency was done in 2005 and looked at the environmental impact of
different nappy systems. The report also sought to identify where
further opportunities existed in order to minimise environmental
impact. The Environment Agency is currently undertaking further work
to assess this issue.

? The Real Nappy Campaign helps modern parents who are
environmentally conscious to make an informed choice about their use
of nappies.

? Help and advice for parents looking to use or currently using
real nappies, in addition to campaign partners can be found at the
campaign website: www.realnappycampaign.com.

? There are Top 10 easy ways in which parents can further
minimise their impact on the environment when using real nappies:
? wash nappies at 60°C and wraps at 40° to 60° - do not boil
wash;

? use A-rated appliances to reduce energy and water consumption;

? minimise tumble drying ? line dry or use an airer;

? don't use fabric conditioner ? it is unnecessary and it
reduces absorbency;

? use eco-friendly washing powders;

? try potty training early around two years of age;

? use real nappies for more than one child;

? buy second hand nappies where possible;

? use organic (non bleached) products; and
? don't iron nappies.

? One of the key aims of The Real Nappy Campaign was to raise
awareness amongst parents of the viability of using real nappies ?
before handing over to partners, such as local councils to continue
to promote.

? As a result of WRAP's support for 28 local real nappy schemes
(2004-2006), 23,000 tonnes of disposable nappies were successfully
diverted away from landfill in England. The cost per tonne of
diverting these nappies was around £53.40. This is less than the
average cost of landfill disposal.

? Further diversion which WRAP could not quantify at reasonable
cost will have happened as a result of the decisions by individual
parents who were not covered by one of the WRAP schemes but who
nevertheless have decided to choose to use real nappies..

? The total budget for the Real Nappy campaign over a two year
period was £2.3 million.

? There is no new funding identified for the Real Nappy
Campaign by WRAP. However, WRAP is currently working with a series
of partners to maintain the momentum and take the campaign forward.
Some modest transitional funding may be found to enable that to
happen.

I left potty training so late that my son remembers being potty trained and what it was like to wear nappies. At the age of five and half he was advising his auntie what nappies were the most comfortable to wear.

His favourite were the rainbow totbots with a fleece liner and a motherease wrap. Apparently paper nappies made him feel sweaty.

Real nappies are really nice, prehaps that why my son didn't want to use the toilet until he was 3 years and 3 months!

Flamesparrow - our nappy network has had info stalls at eco-events & in local shopping centres. We also visit groups (mother & baby, breastfeeding support etc) & baby clinics where we can display the nappies, give advice etc. We've had nappuccino mornings where we have the nappies & leaflets out & parents can come & have a cuppa on us & a chat. We're even happy to do a home visit.

We've just got charity status & are looking into funding for cut-price trial packs or a cash-back incentive scheme. The best bit is my friend has spoken to a few of the local credit unions about a 'nappy loan' at a really low interest rate. Our network was set up by two local mums & they've done so well - I can put you in touch if you're interested or you can contact us direct here - frnn