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11 October 2006. For immediate release:
Thousands of parents who were last month forced to stop using the city's only nappy recycling service, MyPlanet, are being encouraged to choose cloth to continue their efforts to reduce the amount of throw away nappies that end up in landfill.
Real Nappy Week campaigner Lucy Westerman said: "We want parents left high and dry by the suspension of operations to be aware they have other options besides just reverting to putting nappies in the rubbish bin."
Joanne, of Kilsyth, said "Our nappy recycling service has gone offline so I'm looking at alternatives. I am buying throw away brands that have some biodegradable content, but am really still ill at ease with this."
It's hoped that parents will consider a step up and consider a range of modern cloth nappy products.
Mrs Westerman said: "Don't be daunted by cloth! Modern cloth nappies require no soaking, no folding and no pins. I have used and loved traditional squares and nappy wash services but I find new products are better. They have the potential to make expensive, single-use, throw-away nappies a problem of the past.
"Cloth nappies now offer safer closures like velcro and snaps, as opposed to pins, and snug fitted styles are made from soft, absorbent, eco-friendly fabrics like hemp and bamboo. Modern nappy covers are made of breathable fabrics like polarfleece or wool.
"I love cloth nappies. They are easy to use and great fun. I hope fewer parents will feel they are forced into throwing away something that will sit in landfill for a few hundred years."
Jenny Henty, of the Zero Waste program at Environment Victoria, said: "Recycling is not the best environmental way-to-go when there is a reusable product available.
"Always having a stock of modern cloth nappies on hand, means no more dashing to the shops when you run out, no more smelly, overflowing rubbish bins, and no more wasted dollars on throw-away items."
The Melbourne branch of the Oz Cloth Nappies community will be holding an information session on Wednesday 25th October where parents can find all the information on modern cloth they will need. See www.ozclothnappies.org for details.
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Notes to editors:
Interview and photo opportunities are available with local Oz Cloth Nappies members in your area, as well as National spokesperson, Lucy Westerman. Contact her on 0417 100 423 or email vic@modernclothnappies.org
