Washable nappies
This page tells you how to get your 'Trial Nappy Pack' at a reduced cost of £25.00 (r.r.p. £53.00).
In the UK nearly eight million disposable nappies are thrown away every day, nearly three billion each year. Washable nappies are a great alternative to disposable in reducing reliance on landfill and saving parents hundreds of pounds.
What is Reigate & Banstead Borough Council doing?
Working in partnership with the Surrey Real Nappy Network to offer you the chance to try a carefully selected pack of washable nappies at a greatly reduced cost. You can then choose the nappy that best suits you and your baby.
Washable nappies - a change for the better
Washable nappies are not just the old terry squares and safety pins. Washable nappies are made from a range of materials such as cotton, hemp and bamboo, a more natural product for your baby when compared to the disposable nappies made of super absorbent chemicals, paper pulp, plastics and adhesives.
Washable nappies, also known as reusable or real nappies, come in a variety of modern styles, shapes, sizes and fastenings to fit your baby snugly. Washing is easy; either at home or by using a home laundering service.
Why should I consider washable nappies?
Reusable nappies are easy to use and could save you hundreds of pounds on the cost of keeping a baby in nappies, with additional savings for a second child (based on calculations by the Womens Environmental Network).
In the UK 4% of all household waste thrown away in your bin and sent to landfill is nappy waste. Last year around 1255 tonnes of nappy waste from Reigate & Banstead BC was buried at Patteson Court landfill site in Redhill.
This landfill site is estimated to run out of space by 2013. Washable nappies lesson the impact on landfill if you choose to use them some of or all of the time and to help reduce the 8 million a day that go to UK landfill sites.
It is estimated that the plastics in disposables could take over 500 years to biodegrade and stay buried in the ground.
Collecting and disposing of nappy waste costs the authority thousands of pounds.
Washable nappies save you money
There is an initial outlay for washable nappies, but you can still save hundreds of pounds, as you are not constantly purchasing disposable nappies that are used once and thrown away.
- disposable nappies on average cost 14 pence each purchased from a local supermarket
- from birth to potty each baby uses around 4000 to 6000 nappies with an average of 6 changes per day for 2.5 years
- based on the above the cost of using disposable nappies for your baby is £840
- washable nappies can cost from £50 to kit out your baby in basic real nappies from birth to potty. Prices vary depending on nappy type and discounts available at that time
- the approximate cost of purchasing and home laundering for 2.5 years ranges from £185 to about £352 depending mainly on nappy type
- the overall cost of home laundering is as little as £1.00 per week
- laundry services cost between £6.00-£11 per week. Most services are inclusive of nappies, wraps and a bin, and may give discounts to families with more than one baby
- additional savings can be achieved by using the same washable nappies for your second child
- The Womens Environmental Network (external website opens in new window) has detailed calculations on savings.
Financial incentives to using washable nappies
Yes, in partnership with the Surrey Real Nappy Network, we are offering you the chance to purchase a ‘Trial Nappy Pack’ at a greatly reduced price of only £25.00 including postage and packing (r.r.p £53.00). The pack contains a good cross-section of nappies to find one that best suits you and your baby. Sadly we only have a limited number of packs.
What do I get in my £25.00 Nappy Pack?
The Trial Nappy Pack, worth £53.00, contains:- 1x shaped and fitted nappy in bamboo fabric
- 1x shaped and fitted nappy in hemp fabric
- 1x shaped and fitted nappy in micro fibre fabric
- 1x Nature Babies Stuffables Lite
- 1x cotton prefold nappy
- 2x micro fibre inserts for pocket nappy
- 2x waterproof wraps
- 1x Nappi Nippa
- 1x roll 100 flushable liners
- 1x wet nappy bag.
The Surrey Real Nappy Network are on hand to talk you through using your nappy pack and and offer any other help you might need whilst using reusable nappies.
Order your pack
To order your nappy pack please download the
trial nappy pack application form (word document opens in new window), (110.0kB) returning it with a cheque to the address on the form.
For more information about the scheme please contact either the Surrey Real Nappy Network (external website opens in new window) or the Nappy Trial Service (external website opens in new window)
Type of nappy to buy
If you would like to discuss the best options for you and your baby the Surrey Real Nappy Network can advise and help you decide.Surrey Real Nappy Network offers FREE impartial advice on all washable nappy types to parents, parents-to-be, child carers and health professionals in Surrey from their team of experienced 'nappy experts'.
The nappy experts have first hand knowledge of washable nappies to speak to others, we are likely to be able to answer all questions that may arise. Those considering washable nappies will be assured that they have received information from a reliable source.
For further information or advice or to arrange a FREE one-to-one home visit or group demo please call 07768 916276, email surreyrnn@surreycc.gov.uk or visit their website (external website opens in new window)
Types of nappies available
Washable nappies consists of mainly two parts:
1. The nappy - made of absorbent cotton
2. The wrap – a waterproof cover made from breathable fabric to keep baby clothes dry.
There are two main nappy systems:
- all-in-one nappy system
- two part nappy system
All-in-one nappy system:
- is the easiest cloth nappy to use
- great for when out and about as the nappies are most similar to disposable nappies
- take longer to dry
- is more expensive than a two part system.
All-in-one nappy systems are available in two types:
1. Shaped and fitted all-in-one nappy
The nappy is made up of absorbent layers of cotton and a built in outer layer of waterproof fabric to keep baby clothes dry with either Velcro or popper fastenings. The nappy has a built-in waterproof cover.2. Pocket nappy
The nappy was a waterproof lining on the outside and an inner fleece lining. It has a pocket opening at the back of the waist edge, into which a pad or folded flat nappy is inserted. Once together this acts as an all-in-one but separates for washing and quick drying.Two part nappy system:
- requires a shaped or flat nappy and a separate waterproof wrap to keep baby clothes dry
- has either velcro or popper fastening
- comes in a range of colours and designs to suit all tastes – plain or patterned.
Two part nappy systems are available in two types:
1. Flat nappy
The nappy is the most economical and quickest drying nappy system and will last the longest. All need some folding to fit and require a waterproof cover. There are three options:
Prefolds
Traditional Terry Squares
Is more versatile as it may be folded into a simple pad shape or traditionally folded and secured. They do not require pins but rather have little plastic grippers or special wraps.
Muslins
Requires folding and may take practice to master and are most suitable for newborns as they offer limited absorbency.
2. Shaped nappy
Are shaped and fitted round the baby; they fasten at the legs and waist to avoid leaks (good for containment). Shaped nappy system is more expensive, take longer to dry but lack any folding so some parents find this type easier to use. The nappies have velcro or popper fastenings, a high level of absorbency and require a waterproof cover are are less bulky than the flat nappies.
The shaped are available in two sizes:
One size
Different sizes
Nappy liners
Nappy liners are a crucial part in the nappy system. For an easy nappy change they will catch solids, which can be flushed away, whilst allowing wets to soak through to the absorbent nappy. The liners are available in sheets of flushable and biodegradable paper, washable silk (good for babies with eczema or sensitive skin) or washable fleece (provides a stay dry layer next to the baby’s skin).
Booster pads
Booster Pads are a shaped pad made from layers of absorbent cotton or terry, which can be added to any nappy system to increase the level of absorbency as and when required. This may be required if the baby wets more, sleeps throughout the night or for longer periods of time.
trainer pants are convenient to use, waterproof and breathable
swim nappies essential in public swimming pools and offers good value for money.
Covers
Most new-style covers are soft, durable, breathable and machine washable. Fabrics vary from waterproofed nylon, polyester or cotton to wool, and styles range through popper and Velcro fastening to pull-on, all of them allowing for quick and easy nappy changes.
Find out more
The Surrey Real Nappy Network is full of useful information and links on their website such as washable nappy retailers, local nappy advisors, washable friendly nursery schools.
The Real Nappy Campaign provides helpful information with tips, factsheets and a helpline number to answer all your questions.
External websites
Surrey Real Nappy Network (external website opens in new window)
Womens Environmental Network (external website opens in new window)
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
customer.services@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is not responsible for the content of external sites.
