Notes
Funding:
In 2002/2003 WREN (Waste Recycling Environmental) provided landfill tax
funding of £4,500.
In 2003/2004 £1,641 was provided by the Local Authority in kind
to cover the costs of 100 sample nappies and 100 outer wraps and the costs
of 3,000 real nappy leaflets and 3,000 posters.
Aims:
- To reduce nappy waste going to landfill
- To promote a fair choice to local parents
- To involve parents and create a wider awareness of the real nappies
available
- To promote all types of nappies on the market including cost analysis
information and sustainability issues and to present this to parents
using information boards, roadshows, displays in health centres etc…
Scheme History:
Support of Real Nappy Week began in 2003 when a WEN ‘Nappy Board’,
displaying various types of nappies, and two real-size dolls to practice
putting nappies on were purchased. A range of leaflets and posters were
printed. All of this was funded from a successful landfill tax bid for £4,500.
The backs of buses were utilised as part of the advertising scheme to raise
awareness across the district.
Staff were present at roadshows where nappy information was exhibited, and
in prominent public places such as shopping centres and supermarkets. A
structured trial using different nappy types was held and useful feedback
was received. In 2004 the display posters and leaflets were updated, and
public roadshows took place in various locations. An ‘Environment
Fun Day’ took place on Wakefield precinct during Real Nappy Week and
90 sample nappies were given away. Wakefield MDC are currently receiving
feedback from this trial in the form of questionnaire responses.
Scheme:
The Council has used numerous methods of engaging with the public and communicating
on the choice of nappies available, including display boards with information
on nappies and sample nappies to allow the public to see and handle various
types. In 2003 a structured ‘Real Nappy Trial’ was held where
three Wakefield families were supplied with four different nappy systems
and asked to provide feedback on each of the nappy types. The results of
this were extremely
positive, with all three families continuing to use washable nappies as
their first choice. Feedback on their feelings toward the different types
of nappies provided was given, and comments both negative and positive were
used to decide which nappy would be the best to use in the 2004 for more
extensive trials.
In 2004, 90 samples of Motherease birth-to-toddler nappies and matching
wraps were given out to interested parents during an informal ‘Environment
Fun Day’ during Real Nappy Week where a display caravan was utilized
on a Wakefield precinct. The results were mainly positive with around half
of families reporting that they will continue to use real nappies in future.
Promotion:
- Leaflet and Poster: 2004 version. These were displayed in numerous
public locations, including supermarkets, libraries, swimming baths/
leisure centres, health centres and surgeries, hospitals/ birth centre,
housing offices, museums, and playgroups/ nurseries
- Press Article
- Stockists and Supplies of Washable nappies leaflet provided to interested
families during roadshows etc…
- Nappy Press Release 2003
- Posters displayed on the inside and rears of local buses in 2003
- Displays in health centres and clinics to generate awareness in 2003
and 2004
- Information from in-house web site available to all web users. All
Wakefield MDC Employees are sent a blanket email to tell them about
any promotional events during Real Nappy Week.
Scheme Monitoring:
Close contact with the three families taking part in the 2003 trial was
maintained. At the close of the trial a final feedback questionnaire was
given to the families for them to provide any final feedback. During the
2004 sample distribution a record was made of everyone who was supplied
with a sample nappy, to confirm that they would provide feedback.
Achievements:
All three families involved in the 2003 trial scheme have continued to use
real nappies exclusively. In feedback questionnaires they report that they
have discussed the benefits of washables with friends and family.
In 2003 Sharron Schofield, the ‘Modern Matron’ at Pontefract
General Infirmary, gave access to all maternity units across the district,
where Council information could be distributed by the Health Authority.
This high level support was an excellent opportunity to spread the message
about cloth nappies into hospitals and across the primary care trust.
Feedback from the Real Nappy Trials 2004 suggests that half of families
given a sample will continue to use real nappies in the future.
If Wakefield Council were to offer a subsidy to help purchase real nappies
or to use a nappy laundering service 53% of the participants of the Real
Nappies trial would be more inclined to use them.
Benefits of the Scheme for partners involved:
Due to the sensitive nature of the trial it is difficult to assess the diversion
rates from this small scheme, however, what is clear, where families were
experiencing problems with side-waste before using cloth systems, this has
been alleviated to some degree and there has been a reduction in side waste.
Environmental Impact:
Use of recycled paper. Providing easy to access roadshow events on a social
level, i.e. in local supermarkets and shopping centers, which has prevented
excessive travel to events.
Future Plans:
There are a number of options to consider for future promotions of Real
Nappies:
Involvement with more midwives is a favoured option as midwives could supply
sample nappies to new mothers; and at antenatal classes, raise awareness
early, just as with breast-feeding.
Provide a local nappy laundering service, as none currently exist in the
whole of West Yorkshire. Questionnaire results from 2004 suggest that this
would be well received.
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