Washable nappies can save 40% carbon emissions over disposables an Environment Agency study published today reveals.

An Updated Lifecycle Assessment Study for Disposable and Reusable Nappies examines the environmental impacts of the two systems. While at first glance the report suggests there may be little to choose between them, it shows how a good washing routine can make all the difference. Simply washing nappies in fuller loads in an energy efficient machine and line drying them provides over 40% reduction in carbon. Reusing nappies on a second child saves even more.

Biba Hartigan of Women's Environmental Network (WEN) says: "At last, this report supports what WEN has been stating for decades - real nappies are best for the environment with 40% carbon savings to be made over disposables. It's easy to make a difference with a sensible washing routine. It's just common sense. And parents can save money with real nappies too."

The difference between the systems could be even greater. Some key assumptions in the report are questionable. It is assumed that people use more washable nappies than disposables. WEN research based on larger, statistically sound samples has found that there is no difference in the number of nappies used.

Unlike the simple washing routine which anyone can adopt now, improvements posed for the disposables system are not currently available. Further weight reduction requires technological development and widespread MBT recycling is a long way off.

WEN is concerned that the Environment Agency and Defra have chosen not to publicise these findings. One day they make a commitment to reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050 and the next they miss an opportunity to promote information which could help every young family in the country achieve a 40%+ carbon saving on nappies.

For more infomation on cutting your carbon emissions see WEN's latest publication, The Three Tonne Club Handbook.

For further press information contact Kay Wagland 07940 307603 or Biba Hartigan 07931 614893 or visit www.wen.org.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

Emissions are expressed as carbon emissions for ease of communication and refer to all emissions which contribute to climate change.

An Updated Lifecycle Assessment Study for Disposable and Reusable Nappies Environment Agency 17/10/2008 is an addendum to the Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies in the UK, 2005, is published by the Environment Agency 17 October 2008 and is available to view in full on the Defra website.

Women's Environmental Network (WEN) is the only organisation working consistently for women and the environment www.wen.org.uk T 020 7481 9004

WEN established the Real Nappy Campaign, now run by Rezolve Kernow 0845 850 0606.

WEN set up and runs Real Nappies for London with London CRN. This scheme works with local authorities to promote real nappy use across the capital, providing vouchers, a helpline (020 7324 4709) and information www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk on how to benefit from real nappies. WEN has also devised the real nappy toolkit for midwives to facilitate parent education across the UK.