'Go green' call to nappy makers

Campaigners say washable nappies save money.

The makers of disposable nappies should pay for the increasing cost of disposing of them in landfill sites, according to local councils.

Nearly three billion nappies are thrown away in the UK each year, says the Local Government Association.

And the association adds that the cost of disposing of nappies in landfill sites is £67m a year.

Makers of disposable nappies say their products make up only a tiny fraction of waste dumped in landfill sites.

The LGA's campaign against disposable nappy manufacturers coincides with the 11th annual Real Nappy Week, which is co-ordinated by the Women's Environmental Network.

Reusable nappies are the only way to prevent the nappy mountain landfill problem Cllr Paul Bettison, LGA Environment Board

The charity says Real Nappy Week shows parents how they can save money, save waste and benefit the environment by switching from disposable to cloth nappies.

Local authorities in England and Wales say the cost of landfill tax is increasing and it is time the makers of disposable nappies took on some of the responsibility for the financial and environmental costs of their product.

Councillor Paul Bettison, chairman of the LGA's Environment Board, said: "It's totally unacceptable that the council tax payer is picking up the bill for landfilling disposable nappies.

"Councils are on the frontline in the fight against climate change and working hard to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill but ultimately we must make sure less waste is produced in the first place.

"Reusable nappies are the only way to prevent the nappy mountain landfill problem."

Environmental impact

The National Audit Office says councils could face fines of up to £200m if they fail to cut the amount of rubbish they send to landfill sites.

But the industry has responded by pointing out disposable nappies make up only around 0.1% of landfill waste. By comparison, paper and card makes up 17% and garden waste 15%.

The Absorbent Hygiene Products Manufacturers Association, which represents disposable nappy makers, also argues recent studies show reusable cloth nappies are not necessarily better for the environment because of the 'green' cost of manufacturing and washing them.

An Environment Agency report published in May 2005 found that disposable and reusable nappies had a similar environmental impact, according to the manufacturers' association.

Some manufacturers also produce biodegradable disposable nappies, some or all of which are made of materials that can be composted and do not need to be disposed of in landfill sites.