The absence of Lib Dem members, away at their party conference, enabled Conservative members on the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) board to vote out long-term measures to reduce waste in seven north London boroughs and to approve paying large companies such as Tesco to recycle.

Schemes to encourage people to use cloth nappies rather than disposables, which are taken to landfill sites at a rate of eight million a day in the UK, have been run in north London with NLWA's support for the last three years. The new Real Nappies for London scheme, launched this year, has been actively supported by NLWA, but the Tories plan to pull out just as it has got going.

The North London Recycling Forum, where councils and businesses meet to improve recycling, may fold now that its grant has been withdrawn as a result of the vote.

Women's Environmental Network (WEN) running the Real Nappies for London scheme, said 'We are very disappointed that some NLWA members have made this decision. NLWA has been very supportive up until now and the scheme is going so well. It makes no sense to invest in an initiative that takes a long term view on waste reduction and has so many benefits including helping families on low income, and then to pull out. It is ironic that the Conservative party nationally is promoting a 'green' image, whilst Tories in north London are taking a backward step environmentally.'

WEN is calling for the NLWA to revisit the debate when a full NLWA board is sitting and to take a consistent and long term view in supporting Londoners in reducing waste.

ENDS

For further information contact Kay Wagland, Real Nappies for London, Women's Environmental Network, tel: 020 7481 9004 or 07940 307603, email: nappies2@wen.org.uk, www.wen.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. WEN is a national membership charity that campaigns on environment and health issues from a women's perspective. For more on its work, see http://www.wen.org.uk/> . Our response to the Environment Agency nappy report is available from the site.

2. Real Nappies for London (RNfL) is a pan-London scheme to increase choices for parents and reduce environmental impact of nappies. Alongside a voucher incentive to parents are an information pack, a helpline, a website, local activities, London-wide publicity (particularly through the NHS) and the Real Nappy Exchange service. See www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk for details.

3. London Community Recycling Network is a charity and social enterprise working with WEN to deliver RNfL for 13 London boroughs. See www.lcrn.org.uk for more information on the organisation.

4. NLWA details, including a list of board council members from Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Waltham Forest, are available on its website: www.nlwa.gov.uk

5. Research shows that families using real nappies are more likely to recycle other household waste (Sustainable Wales).