NAPPIES - THE CHOICE IS YOURS

Photograph - (from left to right). Cllr George Fraser, Project Integra Board Member; Midwife Liz Toseland; Joanne Freer, Cotton Bottoms Managing Director and baby Harry Lever from Bishopstoke.

Midwives in the Winchester area attended a training session at the maternity ward of the Royal Hampshire County Hospital (RHCH) to receive an introduction into an exciting new concept in nappies coming to the hospital in the new year.

From April 2002 all new born babies at the RHCH will be placed in cotton washable nappies, free of charge, as part of a joint initiative between the RHCH, Project Integra, (Hampshire’s Integrated Waste Management Partnership) and Cotton Bottoms nappy laundering service. This project aims to make people aware of the alternatives to disposable nappies and ultimately encourage more parents to use them.

Liz Toseland, midwife at The Royal Hampshire County Hospital said,

"I am concerned, like many people, about the amount of disposable nappies going to landfill. This is an ideal opportunity for the respective partners to inform people that there is an alternative out there, which is easy to use and will reduce damage to the environment".

The days of folding the traditional ‘terry square’ and securing with a pin have been superseded by a new shaped style which is fastened with Velcro or poppers, making the entire process quicker and safer. The soiled nappies will be taken away from the hospital by Cotton Bottoms to be cleaned and returned.

Commented Joanne Freer, Managing Director of Cotton Bottoms Ltd,

" This type of scheme incorporating awareness and education through public/ private partnership is an excellent way to show parents, that using modern cotton nappies and a laundry service is easy and convenient. We are very pleased to be able to support and co-fund the partnership of Project Integra and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital helping parents everywhere to make an informed choice and provide a cleaner environment for all our children."

It has been estimated that disposable nappies make up 2.5% (15,000) tonnes of the waste disposed of in Hampshire and costs over £500,000 a year at

current landfill rates! Over 1 million nappies are thrown away in Hampshire each week. Reusable nappies would drastically reduce the amount of waste going to landfill and ensure a better environment for everyone.

Cllr George Fraser, Project Integra Board Member added, "Nappy disposal is a big problem and it is easy for families to choose the sustainable option. This current initiative offers alternatives to using disposable nappies and could save taxpayers hundreds of thousands in disposal costs as well as providing environmental benefits"

If you are interested to find out more about reusable nappies please telephone 0800 0855896 for a free leaflet or visit www.integra .org.uk

ENDS

For further information please contact Angela Bethell, Marketing and Promotions Manager, Waste Management, Hampshire County Council on 01892 847026.

Site Contents © 2000 Project Integra
Contents correct at date of publication
Web Design by Alchemy Digital