Wokingham

With the tenth anniversary of Real Nappy Week (Monday April 24 to Sunday April 30) fast approaching, more Wokingham parents are being encouraged to explore the benefits of real nappies with Wokingham District Council’s cash back scheme.

To mark the start of the week, Wokingham District Council is holding a special ‘Nappucino’ event from 10am to 12noon on April 24 when everyone from prospective parents to grandparents is invited to come along for a coffee and a chat to find out more about the benefits of real nappies. And at the event, the district council will be launching its cash back scheme, allowing parents living in the district to claim up to £30 from the council after they have spent more than this amount on real nappy products*.

Wokingham Waste and recycling manager Pete Baveystock said: “The council spends thousands of pounds each year disposing of waste in rapidly decreasing landfill space. The government sets very tight controls and, if we exceed these, the council has to pay money in fines.

“Therefore we are always looking at every opportunity to decrease the amount of waste we send to landfill and increase the amount that we recycle and compost. Real nappies are a great alternative to disposables, meaning less waste to landfill and often a saving to a parent’s pocket as well! We hope that this cash back incentive will help to introduce more families to real, washable nappies and mean less waste in landfill.”

Throughout the week there will also be displays at the civic offices at Shute End, Wokingham, Dinton Pastures Country Park in Hurst and The Ambleside Centre in Woodley. They will offer information about the practicalities of using washable nappies, the environmental benefits and the costs, as well as details of the styles available and where to find out more.

Around four per cent of household waste is made up of disposable nappies. That equates to approximately 8,000 tonnes a year in the Wokingham district going straight into limited landfill space.

Wokingham Council chairman Cllr Iain Brown, who will be attending the nappucino morning on Monday April 24, said: “The cash back initiative is intended as an extra incentive for those families thinking about giving real nappies a try. It will take a little bit of the sting out of the initial outlay and help families enjoy the savings that come over the months of using washable nappies.

“I would certainly encourage everyone to come along to the Nappucino event where people will be on hand to offer more information.”

The cash back scheme will cover the first 80 claims or until March 31, 2007, whichever comes first.

For more information about the events call waste and recycling manager Peter Baveystock on (0118) 974 6338.

Wokingham District Council