Plushpants.co.uk keeps half a million nappies out of landfill
18/05/2007

Plush Pants Cloth Nappies, (www.Plushpants.co.uk) the Oxfordshire based internet site for real nappies, is celebrating a unique achievement – keeping an estimated half a million disposable nappies out of landfill in the UK in the last 3 years!

Their innovative Nappy Trial Scheme has enabled many parents to have a go at using washable nappies, without having to actually buy any. With an 80% conversion rate, so many parents have converted to using washable nappies after taking part in nappy trials, that around half a million less disposable nappies have been used as a result. And if all those families go on to use their washable nappies on their next baby, the true figure could be around a million nappies saved from landfill.

Most parents are aware of the nappy waste their own babies generate on a weekly basis, but when you realise that some 8 million disposable nappies are discarded every day here in the UK, you start to get some idea of the scale of the problem. It is estimated that disposable nappies could take several hundred years to fully bio-degrade, which means that every disposable nappy ever used is still in a landfill site somewhere (1). Reducing waste is high on the agenda for most local authorities, with many now offering incentives to encourage parents to switch to real nappies. Using washable nappies is one simple and effective step parents can take to help ensure their children and grandchildren aren’t left with a legacy of waste from our so-called “disposable” products.

“Choosing reusable nappies is something many parents are keen to do, but with so much choice available now, it can be daunting. That’s why Plush Pants offers a Nappy Trial Scheme, which enables parents to “try before they buy” and be confident they have the right product for their baby. As we are independent, we can offer truly impartial advice on the best nappy for each family, and through the trial scheme, parents can give real nappies a go, without having to commit to a big purchase”, says Christine McRitchie, owner of Plush Pants and herself a mum of four.

Modern washable nappies are easy to use, with many being shaped much like a disposable, and having popper or Velcro fastenings. And with modern efficient washing machines, and “green” laundry products, it’s easy to keep the environmental impact of laundering them to a minimum too.

For more information about choosing and using cloth nappies, and to find out about the trial scheme, contact Christine at Plush Pants on (01865) 408040, or visit the website at www.plushpants.co.uk

NOTES

(1) Figures from the Women’s Environmental Network, visit

www.wen.org.uk/nappies/facts/htm

About Christine

Christine McRitchie is a married mum with 4 daughters, aged between 3 and 9 years.  She has used cloth nappies for several years, and was one of the earliest customers of Plush Pants from it’s launch in 2000, before taking over the company in 2004.  Christine was the driving force behind Oxfordshire’s first Real Nappy Fair in 2006, sponsored by Oxfordshire County Council, which attracted families from all over the county to meet real nappy sellers and see exactly what is on offer locally. 

Contact Christine on 01865 408040 or 0771 996 1146 http://www.plushpants.co.uk

Real Nappies - Cost

Home laundered nappies can save considerably on the cost of keeping a baby in nappies compared to buying disposables every week. Parents could save £500 on the cost of nappies for one baby, and more if they use them again on another baby.

Real Nappies and Health

Disposable nappies are made of super absorbent 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.

Disposable Nappies - Waste

Three billion nappies a year - eight million a day - are thrown away in the UK. 90% end up in landfill. Landfill space is running out and local authorities face tough targets to reduce waste. Real nappies can be reused time and time again so they don’t contribute to household waste.  See www.wen.org.uk/nappies/facts.htm for more nappy facts.

WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) is a major UK programme established to promote resource efficiency. Its particular focus is on creating stable and efficient markets for recycled materials and products removing the barriers to waste minimisation, reuse and recycling.  A not-for-profit company, WRAP is backed by substantial government funding from Defra and the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.  For more information see: http://www.wrap.org.uk

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