Milton Keynes Council Guide to Real Nappies - Practical information on using real nappies
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Recycling
Milton Keynes Council
Guide to Real Nappies
Practical information on using real nappies
www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/realnappies
Recycling
Milton Keynes Council’s Recycling Team has produced this booklet to
provide you with lots of useful impartial information about real nappies -
what they are, how they work and how they can save you money.
Why is Milton Keynes Council What are the environmental
promoting real nappies? impacts of using disposable
Disposable nappies make up 50% of the
nappies?
waste from a family with just one baby, so Each child has in the region of 4,000 to
families can cut their waste in half by using 6,000 nappy changes from birth to potty
real nappies. (averaged at 2.5 years). This equates to
nearly one tonne of disposable nappies
As a growing borough with a young
being placed into landfill for every child.
population, we throw away around 20
million disposable nappies every year! As The paper from disposable nappies
our borough grows we face increased degrades in landfill sites to produce
pressure on local landfill space, as well as methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
strict government controls for the amount Nappies can’t be composted or recycled
of biodegradable waste we are allowed to like other organic waste such as vegetable
throw away each year. peelings or garden waste, paper and
cardboard, due to the plastic parts and the
The cost of disposing of MK’s nappies
solid waste contents.
currently runs at more than £500,000 a year
in collection and landfill costs. If you have any more questions after
reading this booklet, please contact us by
email: realnappies@milton-
keynes.gov.uk or call 01908 254593.
The Recycling Team
Milton Keynes Council
www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/realnappies
2
Guide to Real Nappies
What is a Real Nappy? Real nappies are also known as cloth,
washable or re-usable nappies. They should
You may think of a real nappy as a terry
not to be confused with ‘biodegradable’
square that you need to fold and pin
nappies, which are disposable and end up
together, then soak and boil – but, like
in a landfill site where they produce
everything else, modern real nappies have
climate-changing greenhouse gases.
moved on. There’s now a wide choice of
styles for ease of use and comfort. A real nappy is a washable nappy that can
be re-used, reducing your financial costs
Modern designs fit snugly and use quick,
and halving the amount of rubbish you
safe and easy fastenings such as Velcro,
produce.
poppers or plastic nappy grips. Made of
natural materials, usually cotton, real
nappies wash and dry easily.
3
Recycling
Real Nappies and Real Life
How practical are real nappies? The waterproof outer cover, called a wrap,
is the fun part with lots of cute designs and
There are a wide range of modern,
bright colours available. These are made
fashionable real nappies available to suit
from a range of materials such as
every size and shape of baby.
breathable PVC, wool or fleece.
Most real nappies consist of a soft
Safety pins have been replaced with plastic
absorbent nappy and a breathable
fasteners and modern washing machines
waterproof wrap. A nappy liner can be put
and detergents mean there’s no need to
inside the nappy to catch the solid waste
soak or boil.
and helps to keep moisture away from the
baby’s skin. Biodegradable, flushable paper
liners can be put down the toilet, rather
than into the bin.
4
Guide to Real Nappies
Nappy Choices
What are my real nappy options? Stuffable/Pocket nappies consist of a
waterproof wrap with a built-in pocket,
There are four main types of real nappy:
which is then stuffed with absorbent
Pre-folds are flat nappies that need to be material as required. The stuffing can be a
folded first and put inside a breathable terry nappy, pre-fold or slim-line insert. The
waterproof wrap. Pre-folds range from stuffing is removed for washing so you
modern flat nappies to the traditional terry have a nappy and a wrap to dry separately.
square. These are by far the cheapest
option available to parents.
Shaped nappies have a shaped cotton
pad, so no folding required, with separate
breathable wrap. Some shaped designs can
be adjusted as the baby grows, fitting the
baby from birth to potty.
The shaped nappy or pre-fold is washed
each time it is used, whilst the outer wrap
will not need to be washed as frequently,
as they may remain clean between
changes.
All-in-ones have cotton insides with a
built-in waterproof cover. The whole nappy
is put into the washing machine making
them convenient to use, but take longer to
dry. Some have built-in stay-dry layers.
5
Recycling
Getting Started
What do I need to get started? What is the cost?
• 12-20 nappies (20 for new born, less for You could save over £500 by using real
older babies). nappies rather than disposables. While an
• At least 3-4 wraps if you use pre-folds or initial outlay to buy your real nappies is
shaped nappies. necessary, this one-off payment means you
• Biodegradable or reusable liners. will not have to keep paying out for
• A container with a lid to store used disposables every week.
nappies. Basic real nappies cost less than £2 each,
• A waterproof nappy bag for when you with more sophisticated products costing
are out and about (swim bags are ideal). around £3-£15 each. Home washing can
cost as little as 75p per week (including the
cost of water, electricity, washing powder
and wear on your washing machine).
You can save more money by re-using the
real nappies with a second or third baby.
You can also buy second hand nappies and
you can sell yours on after use.
6Guide to Real Nappies
Frequently Asked Questions
What about washing and drying Will my baby get nappy rash?
real nappies? Your baby is no more likely to get nappy
Real nappies don’t need to be soaked, rash from wearing real nappies than from
scrubbed or boiled. They can simply be disposables. How often you change your
washed at 40°C or 60°C either on a baby’s nappy and/or poor fit will determine
separate wash or together with other whether they get nappy rash, not the type
garments. of nappy they are in. The natural fibres used
Biodegradable nappy liners can be flushed mean many people find real nappies are
down the toilet with any solid waste. less likely to cause nappy rash.
Washable liners can go in the wash with
your nappies.
Modern washing machines are so effective
that real nappies no longer have to be
sterilised.
Real nappies can be line-dried, placed on
an airer in a warm room or tumble dried,
although this is not so environmentally
friendly or economical.
Do they leak?
Whether using real or disposable nappies,
it’s important to select the right size for
your baby’s shape to avoid leakages. You
can use booster pads to make the nappy
more absorbent if needed - these are
especially useful at night.
7Real Nappy Suppliers
Local Agents The Nappy Lady
www.thenappylady.co.uk
Brilliant Nappies
www.brilliantnappies.co.uk Nappy Central
Debbie Brilliant 01536 216134
01908 377326 www.nappycentral.co.uk
debbie@brilliantnappies.co.uk
Second-hand
Cumfybumfy
Try websites such as:
www.cumfybumfy.co.uk
www.usednappies.co.uk
Christine Cooper
www.thenappysite.co.uk
01908 660096
Christine@cumfybumfy.co.uk
Alternatively contact Go Real – the Real
Carla BritoCookham Nappy Information Service for free and
07835 158432 impartial advice.
carla@cumfybumfy.co.uk www.goreal.org.uk
advice@goreal.org.uk
Other Stockists tel 0845 8500606
Many High Street retailers stock real
For further nappy suppliers and
nappies including Boots, Mothercare,
information visit our website
Tesco and Toys ’R’ Us
www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/realnappies
Bambino Mio
www.bambinomio.com
enquiries@bambinomio.com
www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/realnappies
Milton Keynes Council
Environment Directorate
Civic Offices
Available in audio, large print, 1 Saxon Gate East
braille and other languages Central Milton Keynes MK9 3HN
01908 254593 T 01908 254593
E realnappies@milton-keynes.gov.uk
M10630 March 2011You can also read
