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CORNISH REAL NAPPY PROJECT

About

Single use, disposable nappies amount to 3.2% of household waste going to landfill.  In Cornwall this equates to a massive 7000 tonnes per year and a cost to Cornish taxpayers of approximately £300,000 per year.

The Cornish Real Nappy Project exists to promote the use of washable or real nappies; it aims to raise awareness of the benefits, types and modern styles as well as provide independent information on how to use and where to buy.   

Background

The project launched in 2002 as a public, private partnership between Lollipop Children’s Products, Cornwall County Council and Cornwall Healthcare Trust.  The project has been managed by ReZolve Kernow since 2004 and benefitted from Big Lottery funding via the CRED programme which ended in December 2007.

CRNP is now supported by Cornwall County Council Waste Disposal Authority, Cornwall County Council Family Services, Naturesave Trust and Co op.  The project reports to a multi-agency steering group consisting of Local Authorities, midwives, health visitors, retailers and parents; and is run through a network of dedicated volunteers delivering key services to parents in their own local communities.

Services

Trial Kits – an opportunity for parents to trial different styles of washable nappies in order to help them make an informed choice before purchase.  The trial kit costs £10 and is available to parents for one month.  The trial kit is delivered and collected by volunteers who are trained to offer one to one advice to parents on the different types of nappies available and on how to use them effectively.

Nappies for All – an interest free loan scheme available for all parents in Cornwall for the purchase of washable nappies or washing appliances.  Parents can borrow up to  £250 and can pay back as little as £5 per week.  The scheme is delivered through Cornish retailers, encouraging support for local businesses.

Nappy Demonstrations – Volunteers are able to deliver informative nappy demonstrations, field question and answer sessions, offer troubleshooting advice and provide sample nappies for groups such as antenatals, parentcraft or under one sessions.

Nappy Network – members of the nappy network receive regular newsletters, are kept updated on events throughout the county and keep in touch with what’s going on in the nappy world.

Information and Support – The project team provide an informative website and support to parents through a freephone helpline.

Consultancy – With ten years experience of delivering successful services which promote the use of washable nappies; the project team are able to advise Local Authorities, nappy networks and similar organisations on various aspects of project management and delivery.  The team have provided marketing support and materials, training sessions, scoping exercises and also administer services such as loan schemes, helplines and information requests for external organisations.

Key Achievements

• 27% of Cornish Parents use washable nappies for their babies.
• This diverts approximately 797 tonnes of disposable nappies from landfill saving the county up to £31,880.
• Additionally Cornish families made domestic financial savings of at least £681,500.
• 720 network members
• Resource packs and training delivered to all Midwives, GP surgeries and Children’s Centres in the County.
• 82% take up rate achieved through the trial kit service.  The project currently manages 31 trial kits.
• Approximately 68 families helped financially through the Nappies for All Loan Scheme.
• 21 volunteers currently working with the project.

Visit the Cornish Real Nappy Project Website