Colleagues are reminded that assistance is available through our Reusable Nappy Incentive Scheme.
In October 2019, we became the first local authority in the UK to offer families birth-to-potty real nappy packs.
The scheme saves families up to £1300 per child on the cost of disposable nappies, while also reducing the environmental impact of nappies by around 40 per cent.
It is promoted and supported by a team of Waste Awareness Officers, who offer advice and support to parents and carers.
Each child goes through around 5000 nappies until they are potty trained, and single-use nappies cost between £650 and £1300 while “real” nappies cost a lot less.
Kilwinning mum Lyndsey Sampson and her husband Colin have used the scheme with their children – baby Orla, 17 months, Heidi, nine, and Ellis, eight.
Lyndsey, who has been assisted in the scheme by Waste Awareness Officer Lindy Floyd, said: “The reusable nappy incentive was a great way to trial what reusable nappies worked best for our baby and lifestyle in what was otherwise a minefield of options.
“We have enjoyed using them, knowing we are not only helping the environment but also saving money. We have continued to use them with all three of our babies.”
Ahead of the scheme’s launch in 2019, the Council already offered a Reusable Nappy Incentive Scheme, which provided a free trial pack, giving new parents the chance to see what suited their baby best.
The trial pack consists of three, free reusable nappies in various styles, waterproof wraps, biodegradable liners and a laundry bag.
The wider birth-to-potty scheme provided the ability for parents or carers who used the trial pack, or those who are already comfortable with the idea of using reusable nappies, to request the full new free pack containing 20 birth-to-potty nappies, biodegradable liners and a laundry bag.
Lindy said: “It makes a genuine difference to families like Lyndsey’s by helping them save money and also helps is to reduce the volume of waste going for disposal across North Ayrshire.”
Since October 2019, the service has issued 223 packs (134 trial and 89 birth-to-potty) and five new applications are currently being processed.
The scheme is open to residents of North Ayrshire who are expecting a baby or have a baby of nappy-wearing age.
If you would like to find out more about the scheme, or apply, please go online to the dedicated Council webpage.
The Reusable Nappy Incentive Scheme is one of many different ways the Council is supporting families during the Cost-of-Living Crisis and it is really well received by families.Lindy Floyd, Waste Awareness Officer
