Real Nappies Real Progress

Wrexham County Borough Council is keen to help reduce the 8 million disposable nappies that are buried in landfill sites each day throughout the UK. The council is in the process of initiating an awareness campaign of Real Nappies to be delivered throughout Wrexham.

Many people don't realise that reusable nappies have come along way since the time of terry towels and safety pins. There is now an extensive range of cotton nappies, wraps and liners available to parents depending on their baby's age and size, obtainable for the premature baby through to the over active toddlers.

Pre-folds, shaped and all-in-ones are all available in addition to the traditional terries depending on the specific needs and time existing to parents living in a modern world.

These sophisticated real nappies and wraps are held in place using Velcro, press-studs, ties or an easy to use three-way grip known as a Nappi Nippa all offering an alternative to safety pins. The nappies and wraps themselves range from the traditional white to nursery-rhyme scenes and even leopard skin prints. Many of the outer waterproof wraps have cotton bonded on the inside creating a comfortable and breathable environment keeping the nappy cooler. Biodegradable nappy liners are the only disposable part of the process, which are placed inside the nappy and flushed down the toilet once a nappy has been soiled. However, for individuals who are extremely keen there are even washable liners that help to reduce nappy associated waste even more.

It is often not realised that on average a massive £500 can be saved if parents decide to use real nappies instead of disposable nappies and the savings increase the more baby's that use the nappies as a family expands.

It's time for a Real Change

Real Nappies are Cute, Cool and Comfy – why choose anything else?

More and more parents are making the switch to real nappies as they realise not only can they cut their families waste in half but they can also save themselves £100's of pounds in the process!

There is a perception that real nappies are 'hard work', but they needn't be. With today's modern designs, washing machines and the use of flushable liners, using real nappies couldn't be easier. Many fasten with poppers, or Velcro, and can be washed along with your baby's clothes, or if kept separate washed at 60°c (on average twice a week). There is no need to soak, or boil wash.

Did You Know?

  • Each baby produces approximately 5,000 nappies in a 2½ year period. This is the equivalent of 156 black bags and weighs the same as an average family car – and costs parents between £700-£1,300.
  • An estimated 200 million disposables are thrown away in Wales each year. This is 38,000 tonnes of unnecessary waste going to landfill – costing the Welsh tax payers around £2 million to dispose of – and set to rise.
  • Once on a landfill site a disposable nappy will take around 300 years to decompose, the decaying paper pulp produces methane which is a more potent greenhouse gas than Co2.

Real Nappies

  • Cost around £1 per week to be laundered at home - less if you use energy efficient washing machines and line dry.
  • Do not cause nappy rash, or use chemicals which can over dry babies skin.
  • Are good for the baby's posture – by keeping hips apart at the right distance.
  • Encourage babies to potty train earlier – by making the association between a child emptying its bladder and feeling wet.

Wrexham Council's Real Nappy Loan Scheme

You can now borrow a real nappy kit to try cotton nappies in the comfort of your own home before deciding which style to buy. Each trial pack contains over 20 nappies for you to try.

For more information please contact the Senior Waste Strategy Officer on 01978 729693 for more details.

In your area

Local contacts

Local stockist

Bundle of Joy. 36 - 39 Chester Road, Wrexham. LL13 8AH. Telephone 01978 313778.

Internet retailers

Laundry Service

Cotton Tails provide a nappy laundry service which covers Wrexham. They will deliver you a weekly supply of nappies and once a week will deliver your clean nappies and take away your dirty nappies. The nappies provided are pre-fold nappies and are designed to fit snugly inside a waterproof outer wrap. They also provide several brands of nappy covers, selected to provide the best quality, durability and value. Each wrap has either Velcro or popper fastenings.

Cotton Tails nappies are laundered at 95°C so that they are completely thermally disinfected. The whole process including 3 final rinses insures that no harsh chemicals are next to your baby's skin. Cost start from about £9.25 a week.

Cotton Tails also offer a Home Laundering Trial Kit, for a single change of £25 (£30 refundable deposit) you can select up to 21 nappies and 7 outer wraps to use and wash yourself in you own home for 2 weeks. There is no obligation to buy nappies after the trial but they do offer free deliver on all orders within their laundry area.
For more details on either the laundry service or trial kits please ring 01244 374521 or log onto www.cottontails.co.uk.

Credit Union Schemes

Real nappies will save you money in the long run but it is money up front, a great way of avoiding this up front cost is to borrow from your local credit union. They supply low cost loans for any purpose and it's a great way of buying all the real nappies you need without breaking the bank. Loans are repaid weekly or monthly whatever suits you best.

For more details please contact North Wales Credit Union , 1 North Arcade, Chester Street, Wrexham, Wales, LL13 8BB. 01978 266843 or visit www.northwalescu.co.uk.

Useful External Links

Real Nappies Wales

The Real Nappy Campaign promotes the use of reusable nappies throughout Wales and provides impartial information and advice about choosing real nappies to parents, parents-to-be, nurseries, community groups and the Health Sector.

Contact Details

For more information on using real nappies, and details of local stockists and nappy agents contact Pride in your Streets.

Tel: 01978 298989, or
Email: contact-us@wrexham.gov.uk

For general information and advice about using real nappies please visit www.realnappies-wales.org.uk or call 0845 4562477.

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