Just wanted to let you know that I did put an application into Defra’s Rewards and Recogntion scheme about nappies but it has been rejected. I don’t think I ever expected Defra to do it but I wanted to use the opportunity to engage with them about the issue of the environmental impacts of washing nappies vs disposables. I did get some pretty interesting insights into their prejudices – the officer I spoke to on the phone talked about her experience of using washable nappies. She said the sanitiser she used in the washing machine damaged the rubber seal – I think that was about 30 years ago. Will there ever be an end to the reasons not to promote washable nappies? It seems to me there's a certain generation that fail to appreciate that the cloth nappy industry has moved on and developed new products. Do you know of any nappy companies or local authorities that put in research projects for this grant? Let us know. I’m sorry that leaving comments on this blog is a chore, but please try several times and it should let you eventually.
I’ve just written on the RNfL blog on the spill over benefits of using real nappies. In environmental circles this is the holy grail of behaviour change so please tweet and spread as far and wide as you can. As you will see it’s inspired by my fury about P&G’s FutureFriendly campaign that has been sponsored by Waste Watch, Water Wise and the Energy Saving Trust. Who are these NGOs? Are their people qualified? Well some people are clearly on the pay role. Search “waste watch trustee + P&G consultant” and “water wise + P&G sponsorship”. It’s just good to know what we’re up against.
George Monbiot is saying something similar in this article about thinktanks being PR companies working for big corporates. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/sep/12/thinktanks-crushing-democracy-pr-agenices
And if we didn't have enough challenges already, did you see this?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/sep/12/nappy-recycling-plant
Please don't be depressed about all this. We are doing the right thing and more and more people are choosing to use real nappies. I truly believe we are winning despite the huge power of the corporates.
