On Tuesday I went along to Bellingham Children's Centre for the offical Lewisham launch of Real Nappies for London. Met a number of mums using real nappies with their children and mums-to-be considering doing the same. I am delighted that the scheme is now off the ground in Lewisham. This was one of the Green Group budget amendments which the Mayor accepted earlier this year.The voucher scheme is designed to encourage and reward parents and carers who do their bit to reduce waste. Using real nappies saves money and helps protect our environment. As much as 4% of Lewisham's waste stream is made up of disposable nappies (for families with young children, upto 50% of their weekly waste is nappies). Using real nappies in Lewisham diverts waste from incineration. Click here for info on the benefits of using real nappies over disposables.
Along with our other budget amendments such as the pilot green waste collection service, cheaper business recycling, a reusable cotton bag scheme and extra money to promote recycling and energy efficiency, the Real Nappy scheme is an excellent example of how elected Greens in Lewisham are working to make a difference and create a more sustainable borough.
Lewisham has 200 £30 vouchers available on a first come first served basis, which can be redeemed either against the cost of buying nappies or put towards paying for a nappy laundering service. The women I spoke to from Nappy Lady and Bumbletots said that there had already been a number of enquiries from the Brockley area.
Also, excitingly, Lewisham's First 'Nappuccino' is taking place from 10am-midday on Friday 9 November 2007 at the Toads Mouth Too Cafe, 188 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2RL. If you would like to attend please contact Vivienne Thomson, Lewisham's Real Nappy Officer. "Real nappies save money and waste and are easier than you think. Come to a friendly chat over coffee and find out more".
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4 comments:
What nappy laundering services are there? I have been trying to find out for ages but to no avail. It's about time Lewisham did a voucher scheme towards the cost of buying real nappies. Other councils have been doing this for ages!!
From a mum who would love to start using reusable nappies but is finding the initial cost prohibitive.
Hi Clare
There's loads of info on the Real Nappies for London website: http://www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk/index.php, inlcuding details of a nappy exchange scheme where you can buy cheap second-hand nappies. It's worth asking on Lewisham Freecycle to see if anyone has any going spare too, as sometime they do.
Bumbletots and Nappy Nation currently offer a laundry service in Lewisham: http://www.nappy-nation.co.uk/content/Laundry_Service/7/, though they may be forced to pull out of the area if they don't manage to get the investment they need to set up a new laundry in SE London soon.
I agree that the vouchers are long overdue - partly because Lewisham has thus far been happy to send disposables to the incinerator and hasn't had to face paying landfill tax on them. I'm delighted that the Labour group accepted this Green group budget amendment earlier in the year.
Thanks - really useful links!
Clare
I would like to suggest a wonderful website called www.freegive.co.uk.
If you haven't heard yet, there is a wonderful organization called Lewisham Freegive Group ( http://www.freegive.co.uk/p/lewisham.htm ). Lewisham Free Give Group connects people who are giving and getting unwanted items for free in their own towns. It's all about reuse and keeping good stuff out of landfills and, at the same time, helping someone in your community by gifting them the item you no longer need. Another benefit of using Lewisham Freegive is that it encourages poeple to get rid of junk that we no longer need and promote community involvement in the process. By using Lewisham Freegive, not only are you able to get rid of your item with the minimum of fuss; you will also be doing your part in stopping another reusable item ending up in a landfill. It's completely free to join.
Go to Lewisham Freegive Group website: http://www.freegive.co.uk/p/lewisham.htm
Freegive group is active in all London boroughs. Find a group near you at http://www.freegive.co.uk/londonfg.htm
This is a great idea! Encouraging people to reuse and recycle things by giving them away and not sending them to the garbage bin!
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