Press release
15 February, 2013
Happy Nappy Scheme returns

More of the district’s babies will be getting a greener start to life with the return of the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s Happy Nappy Initiative.

The scheme, which is aimed at reducing the amount of disposable nappies going to landfill by giving local parents and caregivers the opportunity to purchase a starter pack of modern cloth nappies for just $20, was very popular when it launched here at the end of 2011.QLDC solid waste manager Stefan Borowy said the decision to do it again was an easy one.

‘The feedback we had from those who participated last year was overwhelmingly positive,” he said.

“We surveyed the participants after the first six months of use and 86 percent were continuing to use cloth nappies while over 70% had noticed a reduction in the amount of rubbish they were putting out each week.”

The contents of the nappy packs had been changed based on the survey responses and while the packs would cost $20 this year, the quality had improved with each pack now having a retail value of at least $170.

Catkin Bartlett was one of the initial participants in the Happy Nappy Initiative and she said it had proved to be a bit of an eye opener.

“It’s interesting to see the increase in the amount of rubbish produced by our household when we have friends who use disposable nappies for their babies come to stay. It’s extremely noticeable.”

There had also been advantages for her in terms of cost and ease of use.

“The cloth nappies are definitely cheaper and I also don’t have to worry about lugging large packs of nappies back from the supermarket. Using them has made my life easier in that respect.”

Workshops were being held with nappy educator Kate Mead, ‘The Nappy Lady’ who would talk about modern nappy options, explain the pack and how to wash and care for the nappies as well as discussing the environmental issues around the two nappy options.

Participants at these workshops would receive a voucher that entitles them to buy a nappy starter pack. Packs are available for purchase by people with babies aged 0-9 months or those who are expecting a child.

Mr Borowy said due to limits on the number of packs available, workshop participants would have first call on vouchers with any remaining available at Council offices from Monday 4 March.

Happy Nappy Workshops
Queenstown: 2pm Thursday 28 February, 2013. Queenstown Resort College Cafe (pram entrance via Coronation Drive)
Wanaka: 2pm Friday 1 March, 2013. Armstrong Room, Lake Wanaka Centre.

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