With modern designs available, more families are deciding to use reusable nappies and sanitary items. Using reusable nappies reduces waste, can help save money and lowers the impact on the environment. Even using a combination of reusable and disposable items can have a positive impact.
Reusable nappies
The Nappy Project
Expecting a new baby or have little ones in nappies? Come along to a free workshop and learn everything you need to know about modern reusable nappies.
The workshops are part of The Nappy Project we are leading in collaboration with 13 other Victorian councils to reduce waste in landfill and encourage environmentally friendly options.
The Nappy Project is on a mission to help everyone feel confident using modern reusable nappies — and in a way that works for you!
Workshops are being held up until December, and everyone who attends a workshop will receive a complimentary starter kit.
There’s also online information, resources and guides available, to help answer all your questions about the types of nappies available, washing and how to fit them to your bub.
Register for a workshop at The Nappy Project website.
Joint council Reusable Nappy Program to launch in 2023
We are leading a new Reusable Nappy Program, working with 13 Melbourne councils to develop a targeted education program that will increase the use of reusable nappies and reduce waste to landfill.
Approximately two billion disposable nappies end up in landfill per year in Australia. In Glen Eira, disposable nappies make up around nine per cent of household waste going to landfill, and each disposable nappy is estimated to take up to 150 years to break down.
The Best Practice Reusable Nappy Program — Implementation, led by Glen Eira City Council, has been awarded $128,000 from Sustainability Victoria, through the Victorian Government’s Circular Economy Councils Fund.
A collaborative Reusable Nappy Feasibility Study was conducted in 2022 across 12 councils to understand current behaviours and barriers to using reusable nappies. The study recommended a best practice model to support community members with targeted education, easy to understand information and increased opportunities to learn how to make best use of reusable nappies.
Glen Eira Mayor Cr Jim Magee said the targeted education program will offer families and expecting-parents more support to learn about and adopt modern reusable options.
“In the feasibility study, we heard how hard it can be for busy parents to research alternatives to disposables. By delivering a Reusable Nappy Program based on parent feedback, we want to make it simpler for households to find sustainable choices that work for them.”
The Best Practice Reusable Nappy Program will implement the findings of the study and aims to make it easier for parents and caregivers to use reusable nappies, or a combination of reusable and disposable. The program will deliver a joint communications and education campaign and increased learning opportunities for how to make best use of reusable nappies.
The participating municipalities include Bayside City Council, Boroondara City Council, Brimbank City Council, Glen Eira City Council, Knox City Council, Maribyrnong City Council, Maroondah City Council, City of Monash, Moonee Valley City Council, Nillumbik Shire Council, Stonnington City Council, City of Yarra, Yarra Ranges Council and Whitehorse City Council.
