Women's Environmental Network announces a new service to be launched in Real Nappy Week - Nappy Line.

One phone call tells you where to buy cloth nappies in your area. The line will be operated by The Real Nappy Association (RNA), WEN's partner in the UK's leading waste prevention campaign.

Nappy Line - 01983 401959 - has been set up to cater for the increasing demand for cotton nappies. An estimated 15% of parents choose cloth and the numbers are rising as parents realise just how good modern real nappies are. Five out of seven mothers (over 70%) who tested washable nappies for a recent Which? Magazine survey were so pleased with their nappies that they continued to use them after the test.

The past few years has seen a steady rise in the number of companies selling real nappies. And cloth nappies are the new baby fashion statement, with designs ranging from day-glo colours, leopard print and teddies, to the golden jubilee inspired Union Jack nappy. Flat, easy-dry and economic nappies, modern shaped and fitted, organic, unbleached, Velcro or popper fastening and all-in-ones, - there are so many styles available that it is just as well there is help at hand.

The phoneline puts parents in touch with their local nappy agents and retailers making it easy to buy cloth nappies. And Nappy Line is not one of those horrible automated services. A friendly voice at the end of the line will ask for your postcode and tell you who can help you to choose and where you can buy real nappies in your locality. It will be staffed 9am-12 noon Mondays and Wednesdays or callers can leave an answer-phone message at other times for a same-day response.

There is no single perfect cloth nappy. Many parents mix and match with easy-dry flat nappies, convenient shaped and fitted nappies and all-in-ones for days out. Local nappy sales agents offer a personal service, demonstrating a range of different nappies and helping parents to choose the right nappies to suit their baby, lifestyle and budget.

For further information contact Elizabeth Hartigan or Liz Sutton,
Women's Environmental Network, PO Box 30626, London E1 1TZ
Telephone: 020 7481 9004, Email: nappies@wen.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

Real Nappy Week
The annual focus for the UK's leading waste prevention campaign, Real Nappy Week 7th -13th April 2003 is jointly run by Women's Environmental Network and the Real Nappy Association.

Waste Reduction
Nearly 3 billion nappies are thrown away every year in the UK. Nappies make up 50% of the waste from a household with just one baby so families can cut their waste in half by using real nappies. With the cost to each local authority in hundreds of thousands of pounds per year on disposal (Bristol City, for example, spends £500,000 per year) it is not surprising that nappy schemes now play a key role in local authorities' waste strategies.

Cost
You can kit out your baby in real nappies on the high street for under £70. This includes all the nappies and waterproof covers you will need for the whole of your baby's nappy wearing life. The same amount of money will only buy your baby's first seven to eight weeks of disposables. Even taking into account the total cost of laundering nappies at home, the savings are still considerable.

Health
Why put your baby's bottom in a chemical environment when you could choose a natural product? Disposable nappies are made of superabsorbent chemicals, paper pulp and plastics while real nappies put natural fabrics next to your baby's skin. If you want the best solution, free of pesticides and other synthetic chemicals, organic cotton and hemp nappies and organic wool waterproof overpants are available at reasonable cost.

Useful contacts:
The Real Nappy Project, Women's Environmental Network, PO Box 30626, London E1 1TZ.
Tel: 020 7481 9004 e-mail: nappies@wen.org.uk

The Real Nappy Association, PO Box 3704, London SE26 4RX. www.realnappy.com
Tel: 020 8299 4519
Provides information on where to obtain cloth nappies. Send a large SAE with two stamps on it for a FREE parents' information pack.

National Association of Nappy Services (NANS), www.changeanappy.co.uk Tel: 0121 693 4949,
NANS members offer local delivery and collection of freshly laundered cotton nappies for parents, childminders, nurseries and hospitals. Also suitable for adult incontinence.