Every baby to be given a free reusable nappy

Every new-born baby in the Stroud district will be able to look ‘Stroud and Proud’ thanks to an initiative that will give their parents a free reusable nappy.

Reusable, or ‘real’, nappies dramatically reduce waste, and can save parents over £1,000 before their child is potty-trained.

Every new-born baby in the district will be given a reusable bespoke designed ‘Stroud and Proud’ unisex nappy.

The free nappies will be given out by community midwives until November next year, or until supplies run out. Parents will also be given information on how to apply for £30 cash back when buying more reusable nappies.

Every day in Gloucestershire around 80,000 disposable nappies are thrown away, which costs the county council nearly £900,000 per year to send to landfill.

Disposables make up around 4% of the total waste stream, and it is estimated that disposable nappies can take up to 500 years to rot away.

Uptake of reusable nappies is already higher in the Stroud district compared to any other area of Gloucestershire, however the majority of parents still choose to use disposable nappies exclusively.

The Stroud and Proud nappy was designed by Stroud artist Anne Haworth. The nappy comes with a liner that can be removed and machine washed at 40-60 degrees.

There is no need to soak, and they can be line or tumble dried. The whole nappy itself can also be put in the wash.

The Gloucestershire Real Nappy Project holds a ‘Nappuccino’ on the first Tuesday of every month at Beeches Green Health Centre in Stroud from 10am – 11.30am.

More information about the cashback voucher, dates for Nappucinos and the GRNP can be found at http://www.recycleforgloucestershire.com/real-nappies