1 August 2006
New research shows misconceptions about cloth nappies

Parents and carers who try using real (cloth) nappies find them easier than expected, independent research for Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) has shown. Three-quarters of parents who have no experience of cloth nappies have outdated ideas far from the reality of using modern nappies. Two thirds of those who tried them found them easier to use, while three quarters said they will continue to use them.

The study also showed that, apart from family and friends, health professionals were a key influence on parents’ choice of nappies.

Initial findings of the Real Nappies for London project research into public attitudes to real nappies and the effectiveness of different incentive schemes, were revealed at a seminar for stakeholders at Westminster City Council Chamber on 26 July.

Around 90,000 tonnes of disposable nappy waste is generated in London each year – mostly going to landfill sites. With a view to reducing this impact on the environment, WEN commissioned an in-depth study of attitudes and behaviours around use of disposable nappies and cloth, or ‘real’, nappies². This compared views of participants in three different real nappy incentive schemes run in six London boroughs as well as parents and expectant parents in the wider population.

Working with Bexley Council and the Greater London Authority, Real Nappies for London piloted schemes providing free nappies, vouchers or cash back for real nappy purchases, in Islington, Hackney, Lambeth, Hounslow and Richmond along with Bexley with a view to determining the best scheme to be used across London. Lewisham acted as a control borough, with no real nappy promotion taking place during the trial. The aim of the incentives is to encourage parents to take up washable cloth nappies, save waste and save costs to parents and waste authorities.

Although awareness of the environmental impact of disposable nappies was high, convenience was the top concern of parents. However, the research found that lack of information about modern nappies - which can be shaped like disposables with poppers or Velcro, with no pin in sight - or knowledge about laundry services means that parents are missing out on choice of real nappies.

WEN first identified a gap in NHS awareness and action on the issue in 2004³. The research confirmed the importance of plugging that gap, to offer parents impartial information and a fair choice of nappy systems. WEN will work with NHS staff, local authorities, nappy campaigners and businesses using the RNfL evidence to design a pan-London real nappy incentive scheme. This new scheme will be launched on Tuesday 19 September at City Hall.
ENDS

Media contacts: Kay Wagland, RNfL Project Officer, or Liz Sutton, Communications Co-ordinator, on 020 7481 9004.

Notes to editors

1. RNfL is funded by the London Recycling Fund, The Big Lottery CRED Programme, Western Riverside Environment fund as well as participating London boroughs and waste authorities.

2. The research was conducted mostly by GfK NOP with some by Prescient between June 2005 an July 2006. A baseline survey established parental attitudes before the incentive schemes started. 2 surveys in the six pilot scheme boroughs assessed the effectiveness of each scheme and shifts in attitudes and behaviours of the parents participating in the schemes. A wider follow-up to the baseline survey including all six pilot boroughs and the control borough assessed attitudes in the wider population after running the pilots.

3. Nappies and the NHS – waste prevention and a fair choice for parents, Elizabeth Hartigan & Ann Link, WEN, March 2004.

4. WEN is a national membership charity that campaigns on environmental and health issues from a women’s perspective. It educates, informs and empowers women and men who care about the environment.