Islington is urging new parents to think twice before buying disposable nappies during Real Nappy Week 31 May - 3 June 2005.<br><br>At the "Get Real" nappy project launched at Archway Early Years Centre in Vorley Road, staff have used real cloth nappies for over a year.<br><br>The aims of the project are to promote the use of real cloth nappies and reduce the amount of disposable nappies going to landfill. About eight million disposable nappies are thrown away every day in the UK - because of the length of time it takes a disposable nappy to decompose, they will all still be in the ground many years from now.<br><br>Islington's Mayor Jonathan Dearth met with midwives, nappy laundry services, parents and carers and nursery heads at the event where he heard how re-useable nappies have come a long way since the days of separate boil washes and bleaching. <br><br>Today's nappies are machine washable at regular temperatures (60 degrees) and come in cool and funky styles. What’s more, in the modern velcro era there's not a safety pin in sight.<br><br>Cllr Bridget Fox, executive member for sustainability said:<br><br>"Mums want what's best for their babies and many worry about the environment - but have been put off real nappies because of fears about the hassle or the cost. <br><br>This project is great because it makes it easier and cheaper to use real nappies than ever before, because the council are offering discount vouchers for joining the real nappy scheme. The Archway scheme found that babies using real nappies find potty training easier too, which is good news for everyone!"<br><br>By buying re-useables - each baby needs only 20-30 real nappies from birth to potty as opposed to over 13,000 if disposables are bought.<br><br>Re-useables can cost as little as £2 each and washing costs are less than you think - especially as Islington Council are now offering a £35 discount upon registration with a nappy laundry service with a further £16 credit after the child's first birthday. A door-to-door nappy laundry service will collect used nappies and deliver clean ones every week.<br><br>Please contact Karen Williams or Jean Hughes on 020 7527 5157 or email: karen.williams@islington.gov.uk <br><br>Ends
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009