Parents are urged to change nappy-style

Derbyshire County Council has been awarded £28,500 from the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) to take on a nappy outreach worker.

That person will raise awareness of a new cash incentive being set up across the county to encourage people to use old-style nappies.

Government figures reveal that each child generates a tonne of nappy waste.

That adds up to 9,000 tonnes of nappy waste sent to landfill sites in Derbyshire each year, costing the county council £345,000.

Parents can claim £25 towards the cost of buying nappies to wash at home or having them cleaned using a laundering company.

'Easier to use'

Councillor Brian Lucas, cabinet member for environment and highways, said: "We are trying to dispel the myths surrounding washable nappies.

"They are far more convenient than people think as you can now get them shaped just like a disposable with self-adhesive fasteners or poppers making them easier to use."

He said it can cost £250 to use some kind of washable nappies, while disposable nappies can be more than £600.

The nappy outreach worker will speak to parents at ante-natal classes, plus meet midwives and health professionals to raise awareness about washable nappies.