News
5th July 2007
Letter to the Editor of the Western Morning News
I am writing in response to your misleading article, concerning washable nappies, published 4th July 2007. As spokesperson for the Cornish Real Nappy Project (CRNP) your comments misrepresented our discussion and the article undermines the important work that the project has carried out over the last 4 years, socially, environmentally and economically.
WMN reported that CRNP sought to shift the emphasis from “saving the planet” when in fact we had responded by saying that parents using washables are making a considerable difference to the environment by reducing waste going to landfill which also saves taxpayers money by reducing landfill charges for Local Authorities.
The 2005 Environment Agency report, referred to by former environment minister Ben Bradshaw and basis for the Western Morning News’ damning headlines, worked on assumptions that nappies were washed at high temperatures, tumble dried and even ironed! This report is now considered out of date and flawed and as a result is currently being revised. Concerned parents can reduce their environmental impact by ensuring they wash full loads, use environmentally friendly detergents, wash at 60 degrees or lower, line dry and don't iron the nappies.
Parents choose washables for many reasons; some aim to reduce chemical use by preferring natural materials, others believe that children will potty train earlier; but perhaps one of the most important benefits is the financial savings. Up to £500 can be saved for one child, more if the same nappies are used on subsequent children. This aspect is particularly vital to Cornwall where we register high levels of deprivation. These parents do not fit Mr Chorley’s naive and offensive profile of “politically correct couples…at the tennis club”.
The assertion that the Cornish Real Nappy Project duplicates the work of the national campaign could not be further from the truth. CRNP runs many practical services for local parents that simply cannot be delivered through a national campaign, helping local people make an informed and independent choice. The project works hard to ensure it runs sustainable promotions including a trial scheme where parents can borrow a range of nappies before committing to buying; and an interest free loan scheme to spread the cost of buying washables, strongly supported by Family Services and SureStart due to the social benefits they bring.
We sincerely hope you will print this letter to address your unbalanced and out of date article.
Yours Sincerely
Rebecca Rapson, Project Manager, The Cornish Real Nappy Project
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