Reusable nappy subsidy increases for Guernsey parents

Monday, 28 April 2025 06:45

A larger States subsidy and a "nappy-ccino" event hope to persuade more Guernsey parents to switch to reusable nappies.

In 2012, a £35 subsidy was introduced to encourage Guernsey parents to try reusable nappies.

As International Reusable Nappy Week gets underway in 2025, Guernsey Waste has confirmed this will increase to £55.

The money-back scheme is meant to reduce the number of disposable nappies being thrown into black bins.

Dee Sangan, from the Guernsey Real Nappy Network, says an average baby can go through more than 3,700 disposable nappies before being potty trained.

Alternatively, parents could use a rotation of 20 to 30 cloth nappies, which can then be used for another child.

She says this makes reusable nappies an environmentally and financially better option.

"We all know that burning plastic is not good, there are loads of chemicals inside disposable nappies as well, so not using them is amazing.

"Obviously, we use more water in the washing process here, but it actually is still a saving when compared to the amount of water that is used to produce disposables."

Dee says, from personal experience, that modern reusable nappies are quality products.

"Everyone talks about the poonarmis that come with a baby, those situations that you end up in, but actually you very rarely get any of those situations with reusable nappies.

"They are just a better-made product; they are made to last and be reusedl."

Interested parents can attend a "nappy-ccino" information event being hosted by The Guernsey Real Nappy Network at Bright Beginnings, from 10am-12pm, on 2 May.