Friendly Baby Petitions Against Cloth Nappy Postcode Lottery

Friendly Baby’s e-petition to Downing Street calls to end the postcode lottery associated with cloth nappy incentive schemes. The Government’s recent Waste Strategy decision to cut waste sent to landfill, resulting in councils developing ‘chip and bin’ schemes and fortnightly collections, is a contentious issue, particularly for families with young children. Some local councils encourage parents to reduce waste by providing cloth nappy incentive schemes. However, it is a postcode lottery.

Some councils have fantastic incentive schemes providing cashback of over £50 on purchases of cloth nappies. Others, such as Ealing, provide no incentive scheme at all. Devon provides interest-free loans, but only for those with the right postcode.

If the UK is to reduce the waste sent to landfill, then the UK as a whole should have the same incentive scheme for parents to use cloth nappies. Preparing for a new baby is an expensive time, especially for those on a low income. Not everyone can afford the initial outlay of buying cloth nappies, despite the overall cost-saving. These incentive schemes are therefore essential to help more families use cloth nappies.

This isn’t a one-way benefit. Local councils need to reduce waste sent to landfill, and disposable nappies contribute around 15% of non-recyclable waste. So why aren’t all councils trying to help us to help them? Introducing a scheme at a national level is fairer and likely to be more effective at reducing waste.

To add your name to the petition to end this postcode lottery visit Cloth Nappy Incentives Petition.