Across the UK over 3 Billion disposable nappies are thrown away every year.
Disposable nappies can contain more than 60% plastic which is derived from fossil fuel sources, they are also extremely difficult to recycle so most are destined for landfill or incineration. The production and disposal of disposable nappies has a huge carbon footprint, with each child racking up over 500kg of CO2 emissions. A single disposable nappy is estimated to take up to 500 years to break down in the environment.
This cloth nappy week, local environmentalists from EcoMums and Tums, and Awesome Wales Zero Waste Stores are calling on parents in the Vale of Glamorgan to ditch the disposables and try cloth reusable nappies instead.
Modern reusable cloth nappies are much easier to use than their terry towelling predecessors. Featuring velcro and popper fastenings, super absorbent inserts, waterproof outer covers and elasticated openings. They even have cute prints and come in a variety of colours. Cloth nappies are much kinder to the environment with the average baby only needing 20-30 reusable nappies between birth and potty training, compared to 4000-6000 disposables.
Many parents are put off by the up-front cost of reuseables or worried about washing routines, so the team at Awesome Wales has teamed up with EcoMums and Tums to create the Vale of Glamorgan Nappy Library. The Nappy Library is a cheap way for parents to try a variety of cloth nappies, with sizes all the way from birth to toddler. Plus, parents will be able to access all the advice and information they need to make their first venture into cloth-bums a success.
Nappy kits will be available to borrow from Awesome Wales Stores in Barry and Cowbridge, parents simply need to register their interest at www.awesome.wales to add their name to the scheme.
The kits will include a variety of sized and adjustable nappies, plus waterproof wraps, absorbent boosters, soft liners, wet bags and a carry bag to keep everything together.
Amy Greenfield, Director of Social Enterprise Awesome Wales said “We think every parent should have the opportunity to try cloth nappies regardless of their financial circumstances. The new nappy library will provide a low-cost introduction to washable nappy options. With the added benefit of reducing the amount of waste going to landfill or incineration in the Vale of Glamorgan.”
Harriet Valentino, Founder of EcoMums and Tums said “Using cloth nappies is a really simple way to reduce your carbon footprint as a parent of young children. Our cloth nappy library provides all the kit you need to get started, along with support and advice to help you every step of your cloth-bum journey”.
The Vale of Glamorgan Cloth Nappy Library will launch on Friday 29 April 2022 at Awesome Wales in Barry. Open invitation to journalists to attend and interview Amy Greenfield, Harriet Valentino and members of the EcoMums and Tums group.
