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
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.
