In Real Nappy Week 2001 the Women's Environmental Network Real Nappy Project is calling on the NHS to introduce a real nappy policy.

Paul Burstow MP has proposed an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons in support of Real Nappy Week 2001: That this House notes that disposable nappies give rise to over a million tonnes of household waste every year, costing £40 million; recognises the benefits of local authority partnerships and promotions which can prevent waste; supports Real Nappy Week, 23 - 29 April, which aims to give parents a fair choice of modern washable nappies and nappy laundries; and calls upon the Department of Health to ensure that a fair choice is available in maternity wards and through health professionals and to consider adopting a real nappy policy. The motion has received cross party support.

In addition, the Real Nappy Association is writing to the Chief Executives of all NHS Trusts calling on them to support Real Nappy Week and to adopt a real nappy policy.

During Real Nappy Week we will present a basket of cloth nappies to Yvette Cooper, Undersecretary for Public Health to enable her to make an informed choice when she is choosing nappies for her baby.

In West Sussex, the award winning team of West Sussex County Council and Cotton Bottoms laundry service is launching trials of real nappies in three nurseries in the county. Essex County Council is offering money back vouchers to those purchasing real nappies or using laundry services. They will be sending congratulations cards to new mothers with information on real nappies and are hosting nappy roadshows all around Essex. Shepway District Council is holding a real nappy promotion in the Early Years Centre with a money off incentive to new parents intending to use real nappies. Peterborough Real Nappy Network are promoting real nappies at 'waddling to toddling' groups, displaying real nappies and getting the toddlers involved by giving them dolls to dress in nappies while mums check out the collection. Bath and North East Somerset Council are running a competition in a local newspaper to win a set of real nappies. Kent County Council is having a fun splash for all babies in real nappies at a local swimming pool and is offering a free supply of nappies or laundry service for one year. Swindon Borough Council will be holding press photocalls involving parents currently using the laundry service. West Somerset District Council will be promoting real nappies in Williton Library. Carmarthenshire County Council is promoting real nappies at the Early Years Conference at National Botanic Gardens. Northamptonshire County Council is supplying Northampton and Kettering General Hospitals with real nappies to give to newborn babies. South Norfolk District Council is launching a scheme with Norfolk Waste Management Partnership for £30 discount per child using real nappies. Surrey County Council has a team of larger-than-life 'babies' handing out information at Guildford and Epsom town centres. Christchurch Borough Council is holding a 2-day conference in Christchurch and Dorchester on April 24th and 25th to raise awareness about Real Nappy Week. London Borough of Lewisham is running a competition in conjunction with local nappy laundry service. Tower Hamlets are launching a bus-stop poster real nappy campaign.

Further details of Real Nappy Week 2001 activities around the country and a full list of supporters can be seen on the website www.wen.org.uk.

For further information contact:
Gina Purrmann at The Real Nappy Association on 020 8299 4519
or The Real Nappy Project at the Women's Environmental Network - Maeve Murphy,
Elizabeth Hartigan, Liz Sutton
email: nappies@wen.org.uk Tel: 020 7481 9004 Fax:020 7481 9144