11/02/2010
Stagecoach Group has teamed up with The Perth and Kinross Real Nappy Network (PKRNN), NHS Tayside and Perth and Kinross Council to offer all new parents in 2010 a week's free bus travel as part of a real nappy starter pack which also includes free nappies.
The ‘Time to Change your Nappy’ partnership has been created as part of the Perth 800 project - a year long programme of events which will celebrate the 800th anniversary of granting the Royal Burgh Charter to Perth by King William the Lion of Scotland in 1210.
This latest initiative also marks the expansion of an existing eco-partnership between Stagecoach Group and the PKRNN. In October 2008, the two organisations joined forces to offer a week's free bus travel to any new parents who signed up to use real nappies for their babies. Now, as part of the Perth 800 programme, the free travel offer is being expanded to include all new parents in 2010.
Operations Manager for Stagecoach in Perth, Gus Beveridge, said: "Stagecoach recognises the importance of tackling the challenge of climate change and we are determined to play our part by encouraging greater use of public transport as well as reducing our own carbon footprint as a company.
"This project allows us to promote the environmental benefits of using real nappies as well as the importance of taking the bus instead of driving and we're delighted to be involved in this scheme."
The Real Nappy Network is also delighted to take part in Perth 800. Project Assistant Tanya Hay said: "This Project will give every baby born in the Perth & Kinross area in 2010 a wonderful starter pack of real nappies which will enable new parents to give real nappies a go. We will also be providing postnatal support with demonstrations and free drop in coffee mornings (Nappuccino's). This is a great opportunity for mums to meet other potential real nappy users, ask lots of questions and find out about our current incentives."
The NHS midwives will be playing a key role in the distribution of the Starter Packs which will enable parents to see just how cloth nappies have developed - gone are the days of complicated folding, pins and plastic pants. Modern washable nappies now come in a wide variety of style and in innovative new fabrics.
8 million nappies are thrown away every day in the UK - that's 3 billion nappies every year. In households with a baby, nappies make up about 50% of your rubbish- about 40 black plastic bags' worth per year. The vast majority of disposable nappies (90%) end up in landfill and we do not know how long it takes for the plastic in disposable nappies to decompose, but it could take hundreds of years.
Real nappies have around half the carbon footprint of disposables, which are believed to take hundreds of years to decompose. As well as the huge environmental benefit, using home laundered nappies could save parents around £500 on the cost of keeping a baby in disposables.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
- Stagecoach Group is a leading international public transport group, with extensive operations in the UK, United States and Canada. The company employs more than 30,000 people, and operates bus, coach, rail, and tram services. Stagecoach is one of UK's biggest bus and coach operators, running around 7,000 vehicles from south-west England to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and carrying around 2 million passengers every day.
INCREASE III
- £7.5 million available over 2008-2011 to be used to support not-for-profit community based organisations to develop local solutions to increase tonnage diversion and waste prevention strategies.
More info at http://www.crns.org.uk/increase/overview.html
NAPPY FACTS
Waste
Nearly three billion nappies are thrown away in the UK every year. Most (90%) end up in landfill; that's nearly eight million nappies a day. We do not know how long it takes for the plastics in disposable nappies to decompose but it could take hundreds of years. With a nappy disposal cost to each local authority in hundreds of thousands of pounds per year it is not surprising that nappy schemes now play a key role in local authorities' waste strategies. Landfill space is running out. In addition, the European Landfill Directive and national government policies are driving local authorities to reduce the amount of municipal waste sent to landfill. Waste prevention at source is the most effective way of reducing our rubbish.
Cost
Home laundered nappies could save parents around £500 on the cost of keeping a baby in nappies. (Source: Women's Environmental Network)
Health
Disposable nappies are made of superabsorbent chemicals, paper pulp and plastics, while real nappies are mostly made of natural fabrics. Organic cotton and hemp nappies and organic wool waterproof covers are available at a reasonable cost.
Environmental impact
All nappies have an environmental impact. Using real nappies reduces the amount of waste sent to landfill but it is important to adopt a sensible washing routine to minimise their impact further still. Ten top tips to help the environment:
- Use an energy efficient washing machine
- Wash soiled nappies at no more than 60oC
- Wash wet nappies and waterproof wraps at lower temperatures along with the rest of your laundry
- Avoid tumble drying - hang nappies out to dry or use an airer
- Avoid soaking - store nappies dry in a lidded bucket
- Avoid using unnecessary chemicals such as conditioners and sanitizers
- Use eco-detergent
- Never iron nappies or wraps
- Extend the life of your nappies - reuse them on another baby, or give/sell them to someone else
- Use washable liners
