Since April last year, Southwark parents have taken the plunge and requested more free real nappy trial packs than ever before. Across the borough this 55% increase in demand represents over 4% of new parents, in the borough, that opted to try real nappies and get their free trial pack. It may not sound like much, however if only 70% of those parents continued to use real nappies they will have helped divert a mighty 48* tonnes of nappy waste from the general waste stream in one year, the weight equivalent of three and a half refuse trucks.
These great results come just in time to celebrate this year’s Real Nappy Week (24 to 30 April) and to ensure the positive trend continues Veolia, the recycling and waste partner of Southwark Council, will be hosting real nappy demonstrations in local libraries. The team will be providing demonstrations at baby and toddler sessions where they will be on hand to answer questions about using real nappies and the benefits.
Ian McGeough Programme Manager for Veolia Southwark and coordinator of the real nappy demonstrations said, “Over 5000 nappies are thrown away in just one child’s lifetime and each nappy can take up to 500 years to break down at a landfill site. So this Real Nappy Week we will be reminding Southwark residents how they can try real nappies for free and what a difference using real nappies can make to the environment and their pocket”.
Cllr Ian Wingfield, cabinet member for environment and public realm, said: “In Southwark we’re committed to reducing waste and encouraging re-use whenever possible. Real nappies are a great way to do this, not only are they cheaper for parents but they help to keep Southwark a cleaner and greener place to live, work and visit.”
New parents in Southwark can save at least £500 per child by using real nappies. Many parents also favour the soft comfortable fabrics as being kinder to little bottoms and enjoy the fun and functional designs. In 2015 a pilot study revealed that 92% of parents would recommend a real nappy pack to friend or relative. They also “noticed the reduction in waste straight away” and “only use disposables 25% of the time now”.
Real nappy demonstrations will take place at the following libraries:
Real nappy demo venues, dates and times
The Veolia Southwark team will be visiting the following libraries:
| Library: | Monday 24 April |
Tuesday 25 April |
Wednesday 26 April |
Thursday 27 April | Friday 28 April |
Thursday 4 May |
| Camberwell | 10.30-12pm | |||||
| Nunhead | 10.30-11.30 | |||||
| John Harvard | 10.00-11.30 | |||||
| Peckham | 10.30-12pm | |||||
| Blue Anchor | 10.30-11.30 | |||||
| Canada Water | 11.00-12pm | |||||
| Dulwich | 13.30-15.00 | |||||
| East Street | 10.30-12pm | |||||
| Newington Temp. | 10.30-12pm | |||||
| Brandon | 11.00-12pm | |||||
| Grove Vale | 10.30-12pm |
Parents or soon to be parents who live in Southwark can apply for a free trial pack by filling in an online form at www.southwark.gov.uk/nappies.
The free real nappy trial pack consists of:
3 x real nappies – one of each from the most popular types
100 x flushable liners
1 x velcro fastening wrap
1 x wet bag
Further information about Real Nappy Week 2017 can be found at www.goreal.org.uk/real-nappy-week.
*This figure is based on data supplied by Defra (via Real Nappies for London).