The group is using this week’s Reusable Nappy Week to re-invigorate its offering and available services, including drop-in events known as ‘nappy-cinos’, where people interested in learning more about reusable nappies can ask questions, see kits and have demonstrations along with a cup of tea or coffee.
The first session will be held at Bright Beginnings on Friday between 10am and noon.
Keri Rang, who heads up the group along with fellow volunteers Dee Sangan and Rosie Stonebridge, said an average baby would go through more than 3,700 disposable nappies before potty training, but those babies using reusable nappies would only use a rotation of 20-30, with these then able to be used second-hand by other children in future.
The biggest advantage of reusables, she said, was their greatly reduced environmental impact compared to their disposable counterparts.
‘422 babies were born in Guernsey last year.
‘If every one of those babies used disposable nappies, you’re looking at 16,880 bin sacks full of nappies going into waste every year, and that’s just in Guernsey.
‘Between us volunteers, we will have saved around 18,500 nappies from waste by choosing reusables for our own children. It’s a crazy amount of waste to wrap your head around.’
Mrs Sangan said, while it costs between £100 and £200 to build up a stash of resuable nappies, the cost in the long term was far cheaper than having to repeatedly buy packs of disposable nappies, which would likely amount to an eventual outlay of thousands of pounds.
Parents in Guernsey are able to apply to Guernsey Waste for a £55 grant towards the cost of reusable nappies after providing proof of purchase.
‘The time and effort of changing a reusable nappy is the same as for a disposable one,’ Mrs Sangan said.
‘They’re not more gross than disposable ones. They don’t leak more. Between the three of us we’ve had very, very few accidents while using them with our children.
‘You just pop them in the washing machine and they’re good to go again, and then you can pass them on to others once your child has grown out of them.’
As well as raising general awareness of reusable nappies, the group holds a number of kits for people to try before they buy.
Islanders can hire a kit of newborn nappies, birth to potty nappies or night nappies with a refundable deposit of £50.
‘It’s just another way we feel we can help parents realise the benefits of reusables,’ Mrs Stonebridge said.
‘If we can help more people break through what can be a bit of a mental barrier and transition then we will be delighted.’
To apply for the States grant for reusable nappies, visit www.gov.gg/realnappies. More information is available on the group’s Facebook page.
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