Really Pants

Have your say on Waste Policy!

The coalition Government has announced that it will be conducting a national Waste Review, with a view to moving towards a ‘zero waste’ economy. Current interventions and policies are up for scrutiny, and you have a chance to make your mark by sharing your opinions! Read on…

The Defra led review will focus on the importance of waste prevention in environmental terms, but will also stress the need to ensure that budgets are used efficiently in order to enable the government to tackle the fiscal deficit.

With new goals being set for 2014, 2020 and beyond, it is critical that the huge environmental impact of disposable nappies is recognised and their role in our future minimised. Disposable nappies currently account for approximately 4% of all land-filled waste, and are one of the, if not the biggest single identifiable products in the domestic waste stream. It is therefore key that real nappies are included in future waste policy.

The national Go Real Nappy Campaign will be responding to Defra’s call for evidence, and you can have your say to by completing a survey up until 9th September.

Some of the outcomes that Go Real and the Real Nappy Sector would like to see from the review are:

• Support to help build a national awareness scheme which reaches every parent with high quality Real Nappy information, which eventually can fund itself.
• Government backing to support really useful Real Nappy promotional schemes such as trial kits and financial support for parents, across the whole of the UK.
• Better information for parents on the most environmental nappy method including clearer advice on the claims behind products and services such as eco-disposables and nappy recycling schemes.
• Research into the best way to wash Real Nappies and the potential health benefits and social impacts.
• A commitment from companies producing disposable products to demonstrate greater environmental responsibility, including an investment of profits into providing funding for environmental projects or Real Nappy schemes!
• An agreed set of standards for all nappy manufacturers to ensure the whole industry work towards shared environmental and social goals.
• Support for local nappy networks to help them deliver on the ground advice in their local communities.
• Increased presence of Real Nappies within the NHS including training for midwives and health visitors, inclusion in antenatal sessions and increased use on maternity wards
• Prevention of the monopoly of advertising by disposable companies within the NHS and through supermarket dominance.

So go on, have your say and let your voice be heard!