Help to change to 'real' nappies

JOHN BISSET/Timaru Herald

REAL NAPPIES: South Canterbury real nappy users are looking forward to a real nappy information day being held in Timaru at the weekend. Pictured is Summer McCambridge with Grace, left, Sue McLean with Frazer and Meg Wood with son Morgan Little.

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A group of Timaru women want to show the region it's never too late to change.

To mark Real Nappy Week (April 21 to 28) an information day on cloth nappies will be held in Timaru this Sunday.

The Real Nappy Week Down Under day will include a DIY nappy display showing people how to make their own cloth nappies as well as information on the benefits of modern cloth nappies, support and advice and Timaru suppliers will showcase their products which will be available to buy.

A `nappy mountain' will also feature at the event, showcasing the amount of waste disposal nappies produce.

Spokesperson Meg Wood said the day would be about creating awareness of cloth nappies and their benefits.

"I think there is a lack of awareness of cloth nappies in Timaru and we want to let people know they are available here," she said.

In New Zealand the average parent changes 6000 nappies per child, and 1500kg of waste is produced by this amount of disposable nappies, taking 500 years to break down.

As well as the environmental advantages of cloth nappies, the information day would cover the health and economic benefits of using them, she said.

The information day would be a first for the region, however similar workshops had been run throughout the country for a number of years.

"It's about getting information out to Timaru."

Making cloth nappies had become very popular, and the DIY display would cover the different steps of making them, which fabrics to choose and the equipment that was needed.

A number of businesses are supporting the event and have donated prizes, meaning every half-an-hour spot prizes will be given out.

The Timaru District Council is sponsoring the event as an initiative for the 3-2-1-Zero waste management plan. Soiled disposable nappies were often put into the council's recycling bins.

A child-friendly day out, admission to the nappy event will be free, and a changing table and milk-warming facilities will be available.

The nappy information day will be held in the Caroline Bay Lounge from 11am to 3pm and all parents are encouraged to attend.