NZ nappy alliance sing praises of the cloth nappy

They're cloth nappies, but not as we know them say a group of New Zealand women planning to educate the nation on the health and environmental benefits of the new generation nappy.

Seven women – all cloth nappy distributors, manufacturers and retailers – have formed the New Zealand Nappy Alliance (NZNA), hoping to dispel myths about the cloth nappy.

"So many people still think of the old flat white nappy and a safety pin when they think about cloth nappies, said NZNA member Kate Meads.

But in reality the new generation of cloth nappies were colourful, as easy to put on as disposables and made from fabrics such as soft cotton or bamboo.

"And they don't need soaking, you can throw them straight into the washing machine," Ms Meads said.

The group announced their formation ahead of global Nappy Week, which begins on April 21.

Cloth nappies were cost savers at about a third of the cost of a child's lifetime use of disposal nappies, she said.

They also saved room in landfills, with NZNA research estimating one New Zealand child would use at least 4500 disposal nappies in their lifetime.

"In the end I think my generation are realising that at some point we've just got to take action, at some point we've just got to say 'stop' and find a better way. If it's not us who says no to endless landfills and the destruction of the natural resources of this country, then who will it be?," Ms Mead said.

- NZPA