PRESS RELEASE - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
TUESDAY 18 APRIL 2006

REAL NAPPY WEEK

Sassy nappy fashions on show in 10th anniversary Real Nappy Week

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar joins more than 430 local authorities to celebrate the 10th anniversary Real Nappy Week from 24-30 April.

Fashion shows, ‘nappuccino’ coffee mornings and hundreds of other events across the UK and abroad will reveal how far real nappies have come in the last decade. No longer just an eco and economic option, real nappies are now a fashionable lifestyle choice.

Biba Hartigan of Women’s Environmental Network, which is co-ordinating the week, says, “There are nappies to suit all tastes: bright and funky Day-Glo, leopardskin and tie-dye prints, classic whites and pastels in fluffy fleece, silky-soft bamboo or organic hemp fabrics, and a choice of snug-fitted styles.”
Councillor Angus Nicolson, Chair Environmental Services Committee, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar says, “We are very glad to be supporting this worthwhile campaign again. Real nappies save money and waste and it’s great to see how many styles and options are now available to parents”.

Marina Fraser, Waste Aware Western Isles Coordinator, says, “Following the success of various events last year, including a fashion show, which scooped the Waste Aware Team, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar a top national award for their efforts this year the Team will be holding three ‘nappuccino’ coffee afternoons, one in Barra on Tuesday 25th April at The Children’s Centre, Castlebay, 12-3pm, one in Uist on Thursday 27th April at Nunton Steadings, Benbecula 12-4pm and one in Lewis in An Lanntair, Stornoway 12-4pm”

A record 840-plus supporters have signed up to back Real Nappy Week, including over 90 percent of all UK local authorities and 147 MPs, MSPs, MEPs and Welsh AMs. With some eight million nappies thrown away every day in the UK, authorities actively promote real nappy use to cut waste and as a cost-saving option for families.

Real Nappy Week is co-ordinated by Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) and sponsored by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) through its Real Nappy Campaign and supported by the Waste Aware Scotland campaign.

Details of all activities are posted on Women’s Environmental Network’s website, www.wen.org.uk and the list is updated as new events are confirmed.

The Real Nappy Helpline – 0845 850 0606 – and Nappy Finder website - www.realnappycampaign.com/nappyfinder - allow parents to find all their local cloth nappy services, including suppliers, laundries and local authority incentive schemes.

For more media information contact, Marina Fraser, Waste Aware Western Isles Coordinator, 01851 706679.

Suggested Notes to Editors

For a full list of supporters see http://www.wen.org.uk/rnw/supporters.htm.

For details of the Western Isles Real Nappy Campaign log on to: http://www.cne-siar.gov.uk/recycling/realnappy.htm

Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) is a registered charity that campaigns on issues which link women, health and the environment. WEN has been involved in Real Nappy Week since its inception and has co-ordinated the week in its current form since 2000. Other current issues include food, toxic chemicals and the environmental impacts of disposable sanitary and incontinence protection.

Cost

Home laundered nappies can save considerably on the cost of keeping a baby in nappies compared to buying disposables every week. Parents could save £500 on the cost of nappies for one baby, and more if they use them again on another baby.

Health

Disposable nappies are made of super absorbent chemicals, paper pulp and plastics, while real nappies are mostly made of natural fabrics. Organic cotton and hemp nappies and organic wool waterproof covers are available at a reasonable cost.

Waste

Three billion nappies a year - eight million a day - are thrown away in the UK. 90% end up in landfill. Landfill space is running out and local authorities face tough targets to reduce waste. Real nappies can be reused time and time again so they don’t contribute to household waste.

WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) is a major UK programme established to promote resource efficiency. Its particular focus is on creating stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products removing the barriers to waste minimisation, reuse and recycling. A not-for-profit company, WRAP is backed by substantial government funding from Defra and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information see: www.wrap.org.uk

The Scottish Waste Awareness Group (SWAG) works in partnership with WRAP to deliver the real Nappy campaign in Scotland, funded by the Scottish Executive. For more details see: www.wasteawarescotland.org.uk