Real Nappy Week, coordinated by the Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) and funded by Wrap (the Waste & Resources Action Programme), aims to enable parents to make an informed choice of what type of nappies they use.

Mariana Sadler, Merton council’s principle environment development officer said, “The aim of the week is to raise awareness amongst parents that using real nappies are the best option for their children and the environment. Real nappy week is the perfect opportunity for local parents to find out more about the options available to them.”

Merton council’s environment team provide the following tips to help the environment whilst using real nappies:
· Use an energy efficient washing machine
· Wash soiled nappies at 60oC
· Wash wet nappies and waterproof wraps at low temperatures along with the rest of your laundry
· Hang nappies out to dry instead of using your tumble drier
· Store nappies dry in a lidded bucket
· Avoid using unnecessary chemicals such as conditioners
· Use eco-detergent
· Never iron nappies or wraps
· Extend the life of your nappies by reusing them on another baby, or give/sell them to someone else
· Use washable liners

Real Nappy Week (June 20-26) is now in it’s ninth year and is supported by over 80% of local authorities, with over 100 activities planned across 40 UK counties.

To find out more about real nappies and about KMRNN’s work please call 07949 628 148 or email kingstonmertonmn@yahoo.co.uk or for more information about real nappy week please look online at http://www.wen.org.uk

Ends

Notes to editor

§ The Real Nappy Help line is available on 0845 850 0606, giving callers details of their local cloth nappy contacts.
§ For more information about real nappies visit http://www.realnappycampaign.com .
§ Real Nappy Week, 20-26 June 2005 is the annual focus of the real nappy campaign, funded by WRAP (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) and co-ordinated by Women’s Environmental Network (WEN) working with the Real Nappy Campaign.
§ The aim is to engage with parents nationwide to help them make an informed choice about real nappies and single-use disposables. The Real Nappy Campaign will deliver a national educational programme of activity to raise awareness of washable real nappies, which will be supported throughout the week by regional and local activities across the UK co-ordinated by WEN. For more information on Real Nappy Week visit http://www.realnappycampaign.com
§ Britain throws away about eight million nappies a day. With a disposal cost to