Real Nappy Week 21-27 April 2008 highlights how parents can help combat climate change by using real nappies.

The annual campaign is co-ordinated by Women's Environmental Network (WEN) and the Real Nappy Campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of modern washable nappies.

All nappies use energy, whether it's to make disposables or to wash real ones. But, taking everything into account, washing nappies at home leads to less climate change impact than using disposables. Eight million disposable nappies are thrown away every day in the UK, so using real nappies could also save tons of waste and money.

A recent survey found 85% of women are very concerned about the effects of climate change on future generations. Using real nappies in the recommended way offers parents of young children one way they can act on CO₂ and make a difference.

Kay Wagland of WEN says, "Parents can help to counter climate change and protect their babies' future with easy to use, modern, self-fastening real nappies. The most climate friendly option is washing nappies at home in the recommended way. It could save them money too."

As well as hundreds of events around the UK and across the world, the 12th annual Real Nappy Week will see the launch of the new Real Nappy Campaign with support from LARAC, Rezolve Kernow, the Nappy Alliance, WEN and WRAP. The Campaign provides resources, advice and support to individuals, local authorities, business and community organisations for promoting real nappy use to save energy and waste and ensure parental choice.

To find a Real Nappy Week event near you visit www.wen.org.uk/nappies.

For further media information about Real Nappy Week contact: Biba Hartigan, Women's Environmental Network, tel: 020 7481 9004 fax: 020 7481 9144 email: comms@wen.org.uk

For information about The Real Nappy Campaign contact Jon Rolls, Rezolve Kernow, tel: 08450 580 551 fax: 08450 580 552 email: jon.rolls@rezolve.org.uk

Notes to editors

Energy:Parents are recommended to wash soiled nappies in full loads at 60oC using low energy rated washing machines, allowing them to dry naturally wherever possible.

Cost: Home laundered nappies could save parents up to £500 on the cost of keeping a baby in nappies.

Waste: Nearly three billion disposable nappies are thrown away in the UK every year creating 670,000 tons of nappy waste.

Survey: Sustainability, climate change and energy survey for WEN and The National Federation of Women's Institutes (NFWI).

Women's Environmental Network is the only organisation in the UK working consistently for women and the environment. www.wen.org.uk

The Real Nappy Campaign is a not-for-profit company administered by Rezolve Kernow with initial membership from LARAC, Rezolve Kernow, the Nappy Alliance, WEN and WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme).

WRAP works in partnership to encourage and enable businesses and consumers to be more efficient in their use of materials and recycle more things more often. This helps to minimise landfill, reduce carbon emissions and improve our environment. www.wrap.org.uk

LARAC is the Local Authority Advisory Committee which represents local authority recycling officers within the UK.

ReZolve Kernow is a not for profit organisation engaged in activities encouraging sustainability, with a focus on waste and material resource use. www.rezolve.org.uk