• 9 million disposable nappies are used in Britain everyday
• 95% of disposable nappies end up in household rubbish
• Every disposable nappy thrown away still exists. They take 500 years to biodegrade.

These are frightening but true facts, and you can find a copy of these, and more, on a leaflet which has been produced under a joint initiative by Gosport Borough Council, East Hants District Council, Havant Borough Council and Portsmouth City Council.

Entitled ‘Disposable Nappies Cost the Earth’, the leaflet aims to get across the true facts and figures and the damage done to the environment by using disposable nappies. It also encourages families to look at environmentally friendly alternatives.

To mark National ‘Real Nappy Week’ which commences on Monday 17 April, Gosport Borough Council will be putting up a display in the reception area of the Town Hall. There, copies of the leaflet will be available. As well as facts and figures, the leaflet also offers suggestions on alternatives.

"Most people think the only alternative is the good old fashioned terry nappy which means fiddling to fit the thing, then soaking and boiling to get them clean, meaning extra work for an already pressurised mum," said Gosport Borough Council’s Recycling Officer, Angela West. "But that isn’t necessarily the case. These days there are other alternatives such as all-in-one fitted or quick release nappies. Even if you do decide to use terry, with the right washing it is no longer necessary to boil them, a simple 60 degree wash will suffice. And of course there are companies that specialise in a laundering service specially for nappies, taking all the work out and supplying mum with an endless clean supply."

Disposable nappies cause damage to the environment and to your pocket. They account for approximately 8% of household waste which in South East Hampshire relates to 11,654 tonnes of landfill at £36 per tonne. This basically means that the local authorities spend £420,000 on disposing of waste nappies in landfill sites every year.

To find how you can help the planet and become an environmentally friendly parent, call into the Town Hall and pick up a leaflet or check out the Council’s information kiosk, which has its own page of information. To find out more about waste and recycling in general, visit the Project Integra website on www.integra.org.uk.

The display will run from Monday 17 to Friday 28 April.