Cloth Nappy Scheme meets growing demand In Ireland

The environmental impact of single use nappies is the driving force behind the Cloth Nappy Incentive Scheme. In Ireland 1.2 million disposable nappies go into landfill everyday, coming to over 430 million single use nappies annually. Disposable nappies create 2.8 times more CO2 than reusable nappies, so switching to reusable nappies is one way families can reduce their carbon footprint as well as reduce waste.

But it’s not just about the environment. Waste management at home is a pain point for parents, with bulky nappies taking up expensive bin space, along with the cost of buying disposable nappies.

The Cloth Nappy Incentive Scheme was launched in 2022 by VOICE Ireland. The programme supports the use of cloth nappies among families who would not otherwise have used them. The scheme provides vouchers to be used to buy cloth nappy starter kits, helping parents to try out the more circular option. Two new hubs have opened in Tipperary and Dublin, with the Tipperary scheme being launched at Tipperary University Hospital in Clonmel with the support of Tipperary County Council, VOICE and the director of midwifery at the hospital.

The Cloth Nappy Library has been working to support the uptake of cloth nappies since 2012. Established by a small group of mums who wanted to help other parents get started with cloth nappies, the library is helping to support demand for and interest in reusable nappies, which is growing steadily around the country. Parents can rent a kit containing a variety of different types of cloth nappies for a short period, usually a few weeks. This allows families to test different styles of nappy and find out what works best for them and their baby without having to invest in a full set immediately.

Parents can find support and education around cloth nappies through in-person workshops, online videos and virtual events. While the nappies themselves are well made and easy to use, with secure snap closures, parents who are used to disposable nappies tend to experience a learning curve when switching to cloth. Workshop sessions cover everything from nappy care to leakage, making the transition smoother all round.

The Nappy Market, one of our circular.ie communications grant awardees, provides a huge range of reusable nappy supplies, from training pants to swim nappies and starter kits. Kate shares easy tips on how to use these nappies on her social media channel, helping parents to feel less intimidated by the early days of transitioning to cloth nappies.

Your circular family

Making sustainable choices as a young family can be difficult with tight budgets, little time and clothing and toys that get outgrown fast. We’ve put together some of our simplest circular wins for young families, helping you add more circular habits to your daily family life. Keep an eye on our events page for upcoming virtual and in person cloth nappy workshops as well as other circular events for new parents around the country.