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Green nappies
The National Health Service holds huge sway over first-time mums and dads coping with a new baby. But it could do much more when it comes to advising parents about nappies. All expectant parents are encouraged to attend antenatal and parentcraft courses at their local maternity hospital. Part of the course deals with how to put on a disposable nappy. Maeve Murphy of the Real Nappy Project reckons, 'By not offering proper information on real nappies, hospitals and maternity services are effectively promoting disposable nappies. Parents have the right to make an informed choice.'
The Women's Environmental Network (WEN) is calling on the NHS to tell parents about reusable, cloth, fitted nappies and the laundry services available for those who want an environmentally friendly alternative to disposables.
Nappy facts: environment
- Disposable nappies form about 4% of household waste.
- It costs the British taxpayer £40 million a year to get rid of them.
- Disposable nappies comprise 50% of the waste from a one-baby household.
- Decomposing disposable nappies emit noxious methane gas. It will take 200 to 500 years for a disposable nappy to decompose, leaving a harmful environmental legacy to your children's grandchildren.
- One baby will use over 6,500 nappies from the time of birth to potty training
- Introduce real nappy demonstrations to antenatal classes.
- Use real nappies in children's wards, neonatal units and maternity units.
- Establish a training scheme to educate midwives in the use and benefits of real nappies.
Several UK hospitals have already adopted an on-ward real nappy policy
- In November 1997 Crawley Hospital was the first to introduce real nappies for their maternity ward. They use an external laundry which, like all members of the National Association of Nappy Services (NANS), launders nappies to clinical standards.
- Crowborough Birthing Centre, in East Sussex, followed soon after in December 1997.
- Similar systems have been set up in St Richard's Hospital, Chichester, Royal Devon & Exeter, Tiverton, Honiton, Worthing, Okehampton and Oldham NHS Trust, with others soon to follow.
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