Nappy Recycling is the UK Ready to Run, Walk or Crawl? - Waste Mangagement World

Nappy Recycling is the UK Ready to Run, Walk or Crawl? - Waste Mangagement World

Scoop - Independent news

 
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1210/S00145/cloth-nappies-the-solution-to-the-disposable-nappy-shortage.htm

Cloth nappies the solution to the disposable nappy shortage Thursday, 4 October 2012, 3:47 pm Press Release: The Nappy Lady

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4 OCTOBER 2012
Cloth nappies the solution to the worldwide disposable nappy shortage
With a possible shortage of disposable nappies looming worldwide, reusable cloth nappies can provide a very real solution for parents worried about how to look after their babies’ bottoms. Following an explosion and fire last Saturday afternoon at a chemical plant in Himeji, Japan, production has ceased at Nippon Shokubai, the company responsible for the leading production of super-absorbent polymers used in the manufacturing of disposable nappies for the international market. Industry watchdogs say if work at the fire-damaged factory remains suspended for some time, it could seriously affect the supply of disposable nappies to New Zealand and the world.
“Zero Waste estimates over seven million disposable nappies are used in New Zealand every week,” says The Nappy Lady, mum and sustainable parenting advocate Kate Meads of Tauranga. “One million disposable nappies are used every day in our country. If the world is on the brink of a disposable nappy crisis, we could see empty supermarket shelves and parents buying disposables on the internet for inflated prices – much like the Marmageddon crisis we’re also experiencing here in New Zealand."
“But there is a simple, sustainable solution to this problem. Modern cloth nappies are in ready, ample supply, and once parents start using them, you’ll never have to worry about running out of nappies again. Simply wash them, hang them to dry overnight, and they’re ready for another round of bottom changes.”
Modern cloth nappies are so advanced in design that they’re just as convenient to use as a disposable, Kate asserts. “And unlike disposables, they’re environmentally conscious and will save parents thousands of dollars per child. A single baby will need 6,000 nappy changes in the first two-and-a-half years of life, and at around 50c per nappy, parents are literally throwing their money away.
“If disposables suddenly skyrocket in price because of a worldwide shortage, cash-strapped parents will really struggle to afford this basic baby product. Nappies are something you really can’t do without if you have a baby. That’s another reason modern cloth nappies are such a good choice – they can save parents around $4,000 when compared to what you spend on disposables.”
Kate is urging parents who are worried about running out of disposable nappies not to stockpile them in fear of a shortage, but to give modern cloth nappies a go instead. “Every parent should have modern cloth nappies in their survival kit,” she says. “Modern cloth nappies are nothing like what our mothers and grandmothers used. They don’t need scrubbing, they’re comfortable, and they are easy to use, easy to wash, and take no more time to put on than a disposable nappy.
Now is the time to investigate switching from disposables to cloth nappies. Kate, The Nappy Lady is currently working with 14 local New Zealand councils where parents can get a variety of different cloth nappy trial packs in her various nappy schemes, with some worth up to $150 worth of modern cloth nappies for only $20. Check with your local council or the Nappy Lady website and see if there is a Nappy Lady workshop near you, so you can make a rational, informed decision about your options.
--ENDS—

Factory blast to hit supply of nappies

Published: October 2, 2012 - 3:00AM

Advertisement

TOKYO: The world could face a shortage of disposable nappies after an explosion and fire at a chemical plant in Japan that supplies as much as one fifth of the global market.
The blast, which killed a firefighter and injured 35 other emergency workers, occurred after a chemical reaction caused a fire at the plant operated by Nippon Shokubai in the city of Himeji, near Osaka in central Japan.
Nippon Shokubai controls the largest share of the world market for the super-absorbent polymers used in nappy production.
According to the company, demand is so high that even before the fire, its production facilities were required to operate at full capacity and it had announced plans to set up factories overseas. The Himeji plant produced 320,000 tonnes of the super-absorbent polymer used in nappy production, according to the Sankei newspaper, about 20 per cent of the global share.
Pressure will now increase on the company's other production facilities to meet the shortfall.
Telegraph, London

This story was found at: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/factory-blast-to-hit-supply-of-nappies-20121001-26vc5.html

Also Featured on : http://www.topix.com/jp/kinki/2012/10/cloth-nappies-the-solution-to-the-worldwide-shortage 

Cloth nappies fix Nappygeddon

Posted on 06th Oct 2012 11:39

Katikati mother Kate Meads is using a potential worldwide Nappygeddon to remind people cloth nappies are the number one nappy solution.
The supply of disposable nappies to New Zealand and the world is in jeopardy after an explosion took place on Saturday, September 29 at Nippon Shokubai in Japan – the company responsible for the leading production of super-absorbent polymers used in the manufacturing of disposable nappies.

Kate Mead and baby Vincent.
Kate, Tauranga’s self-appointed Nappy Lady, says this is the perfect opportunity to start using cloth nappies.
“If disposables suddenly skyrocket in price because of a worldwide shortage, cash-strapped parents will really struggle to afford this basic baby product. Nappies are something you really can’t do without if you have a baby.
“Modern cloth nappies are in ready, ample supply, and once parents start using them, you’ll never have to worry about running out of nappies again.”
Kate says one million disposable nappies are used every day in New Zealand.
“If the world is on the brink of a disposable nappy crisis, we could see empty supermarket shelves and parents buying disposables on the internet for inflated prices – much like the Marmageddon crisis we’re also experiencing here in New Zealand.”
Kate says modern cloth nappies are so advanced in design they are just as convenient to use as disposables. She says using them can save parents about thousands of dollars.
“A single baby will need 6000 nappy changes in the first two-and-a-half years of life, and at about 50cents per nappy, parents are literally throwing their money away.”
Kate made local headlines when she travelled 2100km in April from Invercargill to Auckland, hiding nappies in towns as she went as a way to promote the benefits of cloth nappies.
The mother-of-one now holds conferences encouraging sustainable parenting.

Latest Press Release Nappygeddon

4 OCTOBER 2012

Cloth nappies the solution to the worldwide disposable nappy shortage

With a possible shortage of disposable nappies looming worldwide, reusable cloth nappies can provide a very real solution for parents worried about how to look after their babies’ bottoms. Following an explosion and fire last Saturday afternoon at a chemical plant in Himeji, Japan, production has ceased at Nippon Shokubai, the company responsible for the leading production of super-absorbent polymers used in the manufacturing of disposable nappies for the international market. Industry watchdogs say if work at the fire-damaged factory remains suspended for some time, it could seriously affect the supply of disposable nappies to New Zealand and the world. 

“Zero Waste estimates over seven million disposable nappies are used in New Zealand every week,” says The Nappy Lady, mum and sustainable parenting advocate Kate Meads of Tauranga. “One million disposable nappies are used every day in our country. If the world is on the brink of a disposable nappy crisis, could see empty supermarket shelves and parents buying disposables on the internet for inflated prices – much like the Marmageddon crisis we’re also experiencing here in New Zealand.

“But there is a simple, sustainable solution to this problem. Modern cloth nappies are in ready, ample supply, and once parents start using them, you’ll never have to worry about running out of nappies again. Simply wash them, hang them to dry overnight, and they’re ready for another round of bottom changes.”

Modern cloth nappies are so advanced in design that they’re just as convenient to use as a disposable, Kate asserts. “And unlike disposables, they’re environmentally conscious and will save parents thousands of dollars per child. A single baby will need 6,000 nappy changes in the first two-and-a-half years of life, and at around 50c per nappy, parents are literally throwing their money away.

“If disposables suddenly skyrocket in price because of a worldwide shortage, cash-strapped parents will really struggle to afford this basic baby product. Nappies are something you really can’t do without if you have a baby. That’s another reason modern cloth nappies are such a good choice – they can save parents around $4,000 when compared to what you spend on disposables.”

Kate is urging parents who are worried about running out of disposable nappies not to stockpile them in fear of a shortage, but to give modern cloth nappies a go instead. “Every parent should have modern cloth nappies in their survival kit,” she says. “Modern cloth nappies are nothing like what our mothers and grandmothers used. They don’t need scrubbing, they’re comfortable and they are easy to use, easy to wash and take no more time to put on than a disposable nappy.

Now is the time to investigate switching from disposable to cloth nappies.  Kate, The Nappy Lady is currently working with 14 local New Zealand Councils where parents can get a variety of different cloth nappy trial packs in her various nappy schemes, with some packs worth up to $150 worth of modern cloth nappies for only $20.  Check with your local council or The Nappy Lady Website (www.thenappylady.co.nz) to see if there is a Nappy Lady workshop near you so you can make a rational, informed decision about your options.

--ENDS—

For more information, high-res images, or to interview The Nappy Lady, contact thenappylady@me.com or call Kate on 027 22 11 242

New Upper Hutt Workshop

The Nappy Lady - waste free parenting workshops.


Nappy Lady - Waste Free Parenting Workshops

Taken by: The Nappy Lady - Kate Meads.

Come along to one of the Nappy Lady workshops and learn all about your nappy options and how you can save lots of money and the environment.

At the workshop The Nappy Lady will:
- Give you costings of Disposable vs Cloth
- Show the environmental impact of both options
- Show you some of the modern nappy options
- Show you how all of the different styles of nappies work
- Give you info about washing and caring for your nappies

Cost: Free to attend - If you would like to get a trial pack on the night you will be able to purchase one pack for $15 or $20 (dependent on the nappy value in the pack)

Venue:
Upper Hutt Central Library (Rotary Lounge)
844 Fergusson Drive
Upper Hutt

Please register your interest via Emailing 'The Nappy Lady' thenappylady@me.com or call (027) 22 11 242 for more information.

You are welcome to bring along your babies if they are breast feeding to the workshop and your partner, or perhaps your mum. But please remember the workshop is around 2 hours long.

New Workshop in Hutt City

Nappy Lady - Waste Free Parenting Workshops

The Nappy Lady - waste free parenting workshops.

Taken by: The Nappy Lady - Kate Meads.

Come along to one of the Nappy Lady workshops and learn all about your nappy options and how you can save lots of money and the environment.

The best news.... you will get to take home a trial pack of cloth nappies for free from the Nappy Lady and Hutt City Council

At the workshop The Nappy Lady will:
- Give you costings of Disposable vs Cloth
- Show the environmental impact of both options
- Show you some of the modern nappy options
- Show you how all of the different styles of nappies work
- Give you info about washing and caring for your nappies

Cost:
FREE to attend

Book here: For your tickets



No workshop in Wellington for the remainder of 2012 however there are 14 spaces available for Wellington city residents at the Hutt City Nappy Workshop. Wellington residents are to pay $15 to attend and you will get a free nappy trial pack from The Nappy Lady.

Dates and Venues for 2012:
Friday 9 November - 10:00pm to Midday

Location:
The Dowse
James Coe 2
Lower Hutt

Please register your interest via Emailing 'The Nappy Lady' thenappylady@me.com or call (027) 22 11 242 for more information.

You are welcome to bring along your babies if they are breast feeding to the workshop and your partner, or perhaps your mum. But please remember the workshop is around 2 hours long

New Workshop in Porirua

Nappy Lady - Waste Free Parenting Workshops

The Nappy Lady - waste free parenting workshops.

Taken by: The Nappy Lady - Kate Meads.

Come along to one of the Nappy Lady workshops and learn all about your nappy options and how you can save lots of money and the environment.

The best news.... you will get to take home a trial pack of cloth nappies for free from the Nappy Lady and Porirua Council

At the workshop The Nappy Lady will:
- Give you costings of Disposable vs Cloth
- Show the environmental impact of both options
- Show you some of the modern nappy options
- Show you how all of the different styles of nappies work
- Give you info about washing and caring for your nappies

Cost:
FREE to attend  Book your space here

Dates and Venues for 2012:
Thursday 8 November - 2:00pm to 4:00pm

Location:
Pataka
Cnr Norrie and Parumoana Streets
Porirua City

Please register your interest via Emailing 'The Nappy Lady' thenappylady@me.com or call (027) 22 11 242 for more information.

You are welcome to bring along your babies if they are breast feeding to the workshop and your partner, or perhaps your mum. But please remember the workshop is around 2 hours long

Herald Article:

Nappies and toilet bowls do not mix

By Nikki Preston

5:30 AM Friday Sep 14, 2012

Nappies are biodegradable in landfills, not sewers. In this case, it has just been dumped. Photo / APN

Residents in Hamilton's southeast are the city's biggest offenders for flushing disposable nappies, baby wipes and even McDonald's toys down the lavatory.
In the past two years the city's council has seen a rise in the number of blockages in the wastewater network and is trying to reduce it through improved technology and education.
Waters manager Tim Harty said it was difficult to pinpoint exactly what was causing each blockage because in most cases it was an accumulation of items.
"There's a whole raft of different things that tend to get flushed down, some intentionally and some not obviously. Lots of McDonald's toys tend to turn up in the system."
The 516 blockages in the network in the year ended June are likely to have been caused by several things, such as foreign items stuck in pipe joints, a displacement of the joints or tree roots growing through pipes.
The 62 blockages per 100km in the city's 798km wastewater network is slightly down on the year before's figures, but still higher than the council's target of fewer than 60 blockages per 100km of network.
In 2009/10 the figure was much lower at just 50 blockages per 100km.
Hamilton's southeast had a total of 208 blockages in 2011/12, almost double the northwest, which was the second-biggest culprit.
But Mr Harty said the exceptionally high number in the southeast, which covers older areas such as Claudelands, Hamilton East and Hillcrest
He said that could be due to a mix of factors.
These included the wrong things entering the system, more people living in the area because of the amount of high-density housing and the fact that its infrastructure was ageing.
He said the council was trying to educate people about what not to put down the toilet and that included disposable nappies, rags, fats and oils.
Mr Harty also said there might be a misconception that biodegradable nappies would degrade but this related to landfills, not sewers.
The council is also upgrading its own technology to help identify exactly where in the network the blockages are happening so appropriate upgrades can be carried out.

By Nikki Preston

Copyright ©2012, APN Holdings NZ Limited

The Nappy Lady Visits Feilding

"Nappy Lady" promotes cloth option

---

(Posted on: August 22)

EACH year, New Zealand-wide, hundreds of thousands of tonnes of disposable nappies are tipped in the nation’s landfills.
To extend the life of the present landfill and reduce costs to the community, the Manawatu District Council recently hosted an evening with Kate Mead, “The Nappy Lady”, to promote the sustainable option of using cloth nappies instead of disposable ones.
During the presentation, Kate crunched the numbers to show the savings from using cloth nappies.
She said that essentially, over a 2.5 year period for one child, the full cost of disposables (with calculations including wipes, disposal, washing and extras) would reach about $5000.
The full cost of cloth nappies, however, would be in the region of $1300 – a savings of $3700. And with two children, the savings could be about $8500 as nappies had already been bought for the first child.
The evening ended with simple demonstrations on using and taking care of cloth nappies, which ranged from budget models to the trendy two and three-piece domed combinations. All attendees received complimentary packs of two sets of cloth nappies.
* The photo shows "The Nappy Lady” Kate Mead demonstrating a cloth nappy to Catherine Larsen.

The Nappy Lady: Parents who feel guilty about using Disposables can do something about it.

The Nappy Lady: Parents who feel guilty about using Disposables can do something about it.

Parents who feel guilty about using Disposables can do something about it.

Over the weekend there were a number of papers who picked up the news on the latest figures out from a disposable nappy survey.

I thought it was really exciting news because the figures show that more parents are making the switch to cloth nappies.

The figures showed that there is now at least 30% of parents using cloth nappies at least some of the time.

This is fabulous news for the cloth nappy industry as in previous years it has been estimated that 95% of parents use disposables.  It is really exciting to see parents are having a go with cloth nappies.

The three most interesting things I found in the articles were the reference to cloth nappies taking up more time, that parents felt guilty using disposables and lastly that they were trying to spend less on nappies because they couldn't afford the more expensive brands.

Time consuming or time saving...

In this day and age, cloth nappies take very little time out of your day.  The best news is that you dont need to fold them, pin them or soak them.  No scrubbing or boiling is required.  No more wringer washing machines and wash boards.

We now have fancy machines that do all of the work for us.  The amazing pieces of equipment require less thought than ever.  Some of the modern washing machines simply require you to put the nappies in and it will do the rest. The hardest part is hanging the nappies on the line.  Truth be told this takes less time than taking out the disposable nappies to the outside bin.

The nappies are as easy to put on as a disposable and wow what a fashion statement. 

Cloth nappies are really not as time consuming as you are lead to believe.  Also in my experience I was actually doing less washing with the cloth nappies than with the disposables.  I found that whenever Dan was in a disposable it leaked, regardless of brand or size and so I would have to wash a lot more than just a cloth nappy.

The Guilt factor:

If parents are feeling guilty about using disposables, perhaps they don't realize that there is a modern cloth nappy alternative. 

They are most likely still thinking of the old nappies with the red stripes, pins, buckets and soaking.  Sadly this is what you would believe when you read the information about cloth nappies in your Plunket thriving Under 5 book.  

The fact is that the old pink striped wonders our parents had us hanging out in are not easy to come by these days.   And today you only need a few cloth nappies if you just want to use them when you are having a day at home.  Or if you want to use cloth nappies full time you will only need around 15 - 20 nappies.

For those 37% of the parents who are feeling guilty for using disposables, I encourage them to use just one cloth nappy each day for one nappy change and they could make a massive difference to their baby's overall contribution to the landfill. 

By using JUST 1 cloth nappy per day they would prevent 365 nappies from going to land fill each year which could fill around 7 rubbish bags per year and save them around $250 per year as well.

The wallet wins more if you use cloth nappies...

With the other concern being the weekly grocery bill, these budget conscious parents could potentially save them selves $20 - $30 per week or a few thousand dollars per baby if they made the switch to cloth nappies.

Even parents who choose to use cloth nappies just some of the time will save hundreds of dollars per baby.

The truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth....

The fact is that many parents think they have to do one or the other.  It is either Cloth or Disposable. 

They have probably never considered the possibility of using both types of nappies. 

By using a combination of cloth and disposables like I did, they can do their bit for the environment by using cloth nappies whenever it suits them but still have the convenience of a disposable when they want it.

The way I saw it was that if I was out and I wanted a quick coffee to go, 1 disposable cup was ok and gave me a bit of out and about convenience.  However, I would never have a stack of disposable coffee cups at home to use when the girls came around for a coffee because it was easy to wash a load of cups in the dishwasher at home. 

It is all about balance and doing your bit.  Sure life is busy but if we just keep diving for convenience items we will end up living in a pile of our own crap and some time in the future, someone is going to have to take time to clean it up. 

If we start making the small changes now, we can make a difference but if we continue to bury or heads in the sand, our children are going to have one hell of a mess to clean up!

Cheeky Cherubs Competition - The Nappy Lady

Competition time.......

For this weeks competition I am giving away a Pop in Nappy From Cheeky Cherubs

www.cheekycherubs.co.nz

To be in to win you need to go to the cheeky cherubs website and tell me how many different brands of cloth nappies they sell.

Use the contact us form to submit your answer 

Competition open from Thursday 9th of August and will be drawn Friday 10th August


AND THE WINNER IS:

Monique Bush

No Pins Involved!!!

The Nappy Lady workshops are not just about nappies and you can be assured there are no pins involved! 

Sure we talk about cloth nappies and what awesome alternatives are available to modern parents today, how they all work and how to choose the right one for your baby.  Parents and expecting parents will also learn how to wash cloth nappies with the least effect on the environment, fabric options and cost savings. 

But with the title, 'Waste Free Parenting" there will be education included in the workshop about how to reduce your overall household waste with a small baby in the house.   With consumerism and living in the fast lane, and convenience items everywhere we look, it is no wonder a baby will increase the households rubbish by at least 50%.  You only have to see how many one use items we are encouraged to buy and use to make life go faster and keep up with our busy schedules. 

I believe everyone can be sustainable and make a difference in some way without it costing a fortune or being time consuming, you just need to take baby steps and you will succeed.  I was one of the worst waste contributors before we had our son and now even though I am incredibly busy I am sustainable at home, not perfect, but I am doing my best and making a difference in my own backyard.  I have worked with many local councils to get parents what I refer to as their first step to sustainable parenting, a trial pack of cloth nappies.  This is what started my personal journey to sustainability and I want to help other parents to make smart choices too.

The workshops cost $20 per couple or person attending on their own and for the investment the council and / or my sponsors (depending on the workshop) have funded a trial pack that the parents can keep.  Expecting parents, any parents / caregivers with children still in nappies (up to 17kgs) can attend and get their pack.  Midwives and antenatal educators are also welcome to attend for free but they will not receive a free pack.

To book they just need to head to http://www.thenappylady.co.nz/workshops.asp

Latest Press release on workshops

7 August 2012
News Release

ARE YOU A WASTE FREE PARENT?

Modern cloth nappies are really taking off, and Kate Meads, the Nappy Lady, is taking her knowledge about cloth nappies and sustainable living to parents in 14 New Zealand towns during the next six months.

 "Teaching parents about their options for minimising their impact on the environment is my passion, and councils and other organisations are really getting on board to support waste-free parenting as viable and achievable," Kate explains.

 In conjunction with various councils and with the support of many local cloth nappy companies, Kate is running informative workshops on waste-free parenting and modern cloth nappies in Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Rotorua, Kawerau, Hastings, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, Hawera, Hutt City, Wellington, Dunedin, and Oamaru, and is set for a busy few months in the lead-up to summer. "

More and more councils around NZ are starting to look seriously at minimising the amount of waste they are accepting into their landfills," Kate says. "Waste-free parenting is about not only minimising your family's eco footprint, it's also about teaching parents about sustainable and environmentally conscious options. Cloth nappies are one important component of this, but I also help parents to integrate other waste-minimising activities into their home life, such as composting and recycling."

 At The Nappy Lady workshops, parents and parents-to-be not only learn about the different styles of cloth nappies, they'll also receive tips and information on what they can do at home to reduce their waste output. What's more, attendees of the workshops receive a free cloth nappy trial pack to take home, giving them an opportunity to put into action the information they learn.

"There is massive interest in the workshops, and many are sold out weeks in advance," Kate says. "Parents are hungry for this information and we're adding more and more workshops to keep up with the demand. It's great to see the initiative spreading nationwide, and the positive impact waste-free parenting and cloth nappies are having on Kiwi parents."

Kate’s personal goal is to get every family in NZ with children in nappies to use just 1 cloth nappy per day which would prevent 1 million nappies from going into our local landfills every week. All of the upcoming workshops are listed on The Nappy Lady’s website http://www.thenappylady.co.nz/workshops.asp

 -ends-

 For interviews, comments or more information, please contact, Kate Meads, The Nappy Lady on (07) 549 2955 or 027 22 11 242 or via email thenappylady@me.com

A full list of workshop dates are included on the following page

Upcoming workshops:
 • AUCKLAND Saturday 18 August, 10:30am to 12pm
Saturday 25 August, 1:00pm to 2:30pm
 Monday 17th September, 10am to 11:30am
Tuesday 18th September, 6pm to 7:30pm

• HAMILTON Friday 5th October – 6pm – 8pm

• ROTORUA Thursday 9 August - 6:30pm to 8:30pm

• TAURANGA Saturday 11th August - 10am to 12 noon
Monday 19th November – 6:30pm – 8:30pm

• HASTINGS Friday 24 August - 6:00pm to 8:00pm

• NEW PLYMOUTH Thursday 6 September - 10:30am to 12:30pm

• HAWERA Saturday 7 September - 10am to 12 noon

• FEILDING Thursday 16th August – 6:30pm – 8:30pm

• PALMERSTON NORTH Saturday 18 August - 10am to 12 noon
Wednesday 7th November 6:30pm – 8:30pm

• DUNEDIN Saturday 29th September – 11:30am – 1:30pm

 There are other nappy schemes that are in other areas that do not run a workshop. Check the website (http://www.thenappylady.co.nz/workshops.asp) for more information and to book into any of the upcoming workshops.

Dunedin Nappy Lady Workshops

The Original Nappy Lady Waste Free Parenting Workshops Dunedin Taken by: The Nappy Lady - Kate Meads Want Free Nappies??? The Nappy Lady will be running 2 Waste Free Parenting courses during 2012!! Come along to one of the Nappy Lady workshops and learn all about your nappy options and how you can save lots of money. The best news.... you will get to take home a $100 pack of cloth nappies for free from the Nappy Lady and Dunedin District Council At the Nappy workshop The Nappy Lady will: Show you the modern nappy options Explain how all of the different styles of nappies work Help you choose the best nappy for your baby and budget Give you helpful ways you can be more sustainable at home Cost: $20.00 per couple or parent attending on their own Dates and Venues for 2012: 29th September 2012 - 11.30am to 1:30pm The Dunningham Suite Level 4 Dunedin Library. Bookings are essential - spaces are limited. TO BOOK: Phone Dunedin Council Customer Services on 03 477 4000 or email dcc@dcc.govt.nz to book your place

Hawera Nappy Workshop - Limited Spaces

Nappy Lady Waste Free Parenting Workshops. Taken by: The Nappy Lady - Kate Meads. Want a Free Cloth Nappy Trial Pack? The Nappy Lady is coming to Hawera! Come along to one of the Nappy Lady workshops and learn all about your nappy options and how you can save lots of money. The best news... you will get to take home a cloth nappy trial pack for free from the Nappy Lady and her generous sponsors. At the Nappy workshop The Nappy Lady will: - Show you the modern nappy options - Explain how all of the different styles of nappies work - Help you choose the best nappy for your baby and budget - Give you helpful ways you can be more sustainable at home Cost: $20.00 per couple or parent attending on their own LIMITED SPACES: To Book you can purchase tickets using the link below:

Hastings Cloth nappy Workshop with The Nappy Lady

Taken by: The Nappy Lady - Kate Meads Want free nappies? Come along to one of the Nappy Lady workshops and learn all about your nappy options and how you can save lots of money. The best news... you will get to take home a trial pack of cloth nappies for free from the Nappy Lady and Hastings Council. At the Nappy workshop The Nappy Lady will: - Show you the modern nappy options - Explain how all of the different styles of nappies work - Help you choose the best nappy for your baby and budget - Give you helpful ways you can be more sustainable at home Cost: - $20.00 per couple or parent attending on their own - LIMITED SPACES You are welcome to bring along young babies with you and also your partner or mother / support person to the workshop. To Book Tickets : use the link below

The original Nappy Lady - waste free parenting workshops. Taken by: The Nappy Lady - Kate Meads. Want Free Nappies? Come along to one of the Nappy Lady workshops and learn all about your nappy options and how you can save lots of money. The best news... you will get to take home a $60 pack of cloth nappies for free from the Nappy Lady and The Palmerston North Council. At the Nappy workshop The Nappy Lady will: - Show you the modern nappy options - Explain how all of the different styles of nappies work - Help you choose the best nappy for your baby and budget Cost: $20.00 per couple or parent attending on their own. To Book:

Email 'The Nappy Lady' thenappylady@me.com or call (027) 22 11 242 for more information. You are welcome to bring along your babies if they are breast feeding to the workshop and your partner, or perhaps your mum. Event held in the The Sound and Vision Zone.

Tauranga expecting parents and mums and dads can come along to my workshop in Greerton and get a free cloth nappy trial pack valued at around $60 for free from the council. It costs $20 to attend the workshop but you get the free trial pack to keep. A great initiative to support the parents of the bay. To book, go to

Calling all Hamilton Mums and Dads and expecting parents!!! Come along to The Nappy Lady's next workshop in October and get a trial pack valued at over $50 for free as part of the nappy workshop!!! You must book and spaces are limited. Check out the poster below or book at

Come along to the workshop in Rotorua and get a bit of education on cloth nappies and sustainable parenting with me ;o) You can book through EventFinder http://www.eventfinder.co.nz/2012/the-nappy-lady-waste-free-parenting-workshop/rotorua

Get a Free Nappy at one of my workshops

Get A FREE Cloth Nappy Trial Pack at one of my Upcoming Workshops Wellington : https://www.facebook.com/events/447323041949592/ Hutt City: https://www.facebook.com/events/451437124882414/ Hamilton: https://www.facebook.com/events/106549376138435/ Tauranga: https://www.facebook.com/events/225631197553254/ Hastings: https://www.facebook.com/events/390182184362022/ Hawera: https://www.facebook.com/events/476886588993685/ And more to come including North Auckland & South Auckland, Whangarei, New Plymouth, Whanganui, Rotorua, and more...Just sorting out venues

Timaru nappy stalkers - chasing me down

Here I am getting chased by crazy mums as I try to hide nappies around Timaru

I tell you this is a serious competition!!!  Cant wait for tomorrows antics !!!!

The caped Crusader - with the pink hair

Fun times yesterday!!!

Here is me in my new cape!!!

Thanks to Sandy V Clothing Designer

Check her out here: https://www.facebook.com/SandiV.Clothing

And here I am with Kate from BLOW in Tauranga

http://maps.google.co.nz/maps/place?hl=en&sugexp=frgbld&pq=blow&cp=8&gs_id=1d&xhr=t&client=firefox-a&hs=rHQ&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.,cf.osb&biw=1259&bih=583&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=blow+tauranga&fb=1&gl=nz&hq=blow&hnear=0x6d6e76e77bd464e5:0x500ef6143a39926,Tauranga&cid=9594929565306161688

Loving the Pink Hair!!!

Thank you to all of the wonderful people who have helped me out!!

Press Release for the Trip 2012

The Press release has gone out and now it is offical...I am going to be a crazy lady this week! I love the bit about "Imagine you’re pushing your pram in a local park and a woman wearing a satin cape and calling herself The Nappy Lady hands you a cloth nappy for your baby... Well, that’s what I’ll be doing over the next week"

A huge thanks to Katherine and Denise who have made this possible!!

I cant wait to meet you all but for now check out the press release and all of the events planned below!

xxx
The Nappy Lady

Press release:

Kiwi mum organises New Zealand’s biggest treasure hunt

11 April 2012 – Starting this Friday, 13 April, a mum from Katikati will don a hot pink and electric blue cape and set off on a 2,100km road trip around New Zealand, hiding prizes along the way in the nation’s biggest treasure hunt.

The Nappy Lady Kate Meads will travel from Invercargill to Auckland from 13 to 21 April in an operation that sees her acting as part Superwoman, part Santa Claus, and part Easter Bunny in an effort to spread the word about the benefits of using modern cloth nappies.

“Like Superwoman, I’ve got a cape and I’m trying to save the world,” Kate laughs. “Like Santa Claus, I’m giving away free gifts of cloth nappies and prizes to Kiwi parents. And like the Easter Bunny, I’m hiding goodies all over the country for people to find.”

Armed with over 600 cloth nappies from leading New Zealand suppliers, Kate’s whirlwind tour of New Zealand sees her travelling 2,100km – the length of 7 million disposable nappies laid end-to-end, which is the number of disposables that are thrown into New Zealand landfills each week. And she’ll be hiding those 600 cloth nappies in towns and cities along the road, posting clues on Facebook to encourage parents to participate in this sustainability- focused game of hide-and-seek.

“The number of disposable nappies left festering in our nation’s parks and green spaces is phenomenal,” Kate says. “Wouldn’t you rather find a clean, reusable modern cloth nappy in your local reserve instead of a stinking, germ- laden disposable nappy? And likewise, wouldn’t you prefer parents to take their nappy home and dispose of the waste within appropriately and hygienically instead of dumping it into the places where we take our kids to play?”

With 20 scheduled stops between Invercargill and Auckland for scheduled coffee groups, workshops, and even a “Wine, Cheese, and Nappies” evening, Kate and her team of Nappy Avengers are focused on educating Kiwi mums and dads about sustainable parenting choices.

“But we’re also aiming to have fun along the way,” Kate says. “One of the things that parents consistently tell us they love about modern cloth nappies is how fun and funky the designs are. So we’re taking that to heart and showing the country just how fun and funky cloth nappy users can be.

“Imagine you’re pushing your pram in a local park and a woman wearing a satin cape and calling herself The Nappy Lady hands you a cloth nappy for your baby... Well, that’s what I’ll be doing over the next week, so watch out! Hiding 600 nappies around New Zealand, from Invercargill to Auckland and beyond, is just one of the fun things we’ll be doing during Cloth Nappy Week.

“We’re not just spreading the word about modern cloth nappies. We’re spreading the nappies, too!”

--ENDS--

International Cloth Nappy Week is scheduled for 16-22 April 2012, and the Cloth Nappy Week Road Trip takes place 13-21 April. For images, information about Cloth Nappy Week, or interviews with The Nappy Lady, please contact Katherine Granich on 021 120 5778 or katherine@copylab.co.nz.

Cloth Nappy Week 2012 Road Trip Itinerary

Media are welcome to attend any of the following Cloth Nappy Week events. The Nappy Lady Kate Meads is also available for interviews and commentary prior to and during the Cloth Nappy Week Road Trip. Please contact Katherine Granich on 021 120 5778 or katherine@copylab.co.nz if you wish to attend.

13 April

11.30am – 12.30pm: Coffee Group, Invercargill Environmental Centre, 67 Glengarry Cres, Invercargill

2.30pm – 3.30pm: Coffee Group, Milk & Honey, 103 Main Street, Gore

14 April

8.30am – 9.30am: Bacon, Eggs and Nappies, Mojo Café, Princess Street, Dunedin

11am –1pm: The Nappy Lady Workshop, The Dunningham Suite, Dunedin City Library, Dunedin

3pm – 4pm: Coffee Group, Steam Café, 7 Thames Street, Oamaru

7pm – 8pm: Wine, Cheese & Nappies, Tussock Restaurant, 51 King Street, Timaru

15 April

10.30am – 11.30am: Coffee Group, South City Shopping Centre, Christchurch

2pm – 3pm: The Nappy Lady Workshop, South City Shopping Centre, Christchurch

16 April

12.30 – 1.30pm: Coffee Group, Robert Harris Cafe, 193 Trafalgar Street, Nelson

17 April

10am – 11.30am: Coffee Group, Southern Cross, 39 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington

1pm – 2.30pm: The Nappy Lady Workshop, Life City Church, 1-3 Parkway, Wainuiomata, Hutt City

6.30pm – 7.30pm: The Nappy Lady Workshop, Southern Cross, 39 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington

18 April

12 noon – 1pm: Coffee Group, Robert Harris Café, 73 Church Street, The Square, Palmerston North

6.30pm – 7.30pm: The Nappy Lady Workshop, Hastings Central Library, Cnr Eastbourne Street East & Warren Street South, Hastings

19 April

9am – 10.30am: Coffee Group, Milk and Honey, 10 Hardinge Rd (The Crown Hotel), Ahuriri, Napier

2.30pm – 3.30pm: Coffee Group, Robert Harris Café, Treble Court, Peel Street, Gisborne

6.30pm – 8.30pm: Wine, Cheese & Nappies Workshop, The Winemaker’s Daughters Café, 88 Grey Street, Gisborne

20 April

11am – 12 noon: Coffee Group, Grindz Café, 1st Ave, Tauranga

2pm – 3pm: Coffee Group, Robert Harris Café, Main Road, Katikati

21 April

10am – 12 noon: Nappy Flash Mob and Coffee Group, Robert Harris Café, Upstairs by Whitcoulls, Botany Town Centre, 588 Chapel Road, East Tamaki, Auckland

Enjoying the quite moments!!

Here I am sitting here enjoying the chocolate easter egg the bunny got me and doing the end of year accounts for my hubby and me.

My lovely husband is making a batch of piklets and Daniel is playing with the dogs outside. I think it is really important to appreciate these lovely quiet moments that you have as a family even if you are just doing your own thing, you are still together, hanging out at home.

Too often we find ourselves running out the door to one thing or another or going to town to be entertained when perhaps we just need to hang out at home and enjoy each others company.

The same cant be said for next week of course. As the trip gets closer, I am getting more excited about all the things we have planned for Cloth Nappy Week. This year has been amazing already with so much interest from different councils and with Cloth Nappy Week having such a wonderful group of passionate businesses supporting it all along the way!

I hope that you have all had a fantastic easter and I had better get back to the book work and the pikelets of course...yum yum yum!!!!

See you soon!!!

xx
The Nappy Lady

Ready to hit the road!!!

Well it is official....my bags are packed, everything is booked and my cape is nearly ready!!!!

So I am ready to hit the road with over $30,000 worth of nappies to give away PLUS $10,000 worth of other spot prizes to give away this year!!

My son thinks it is hilarious that I have a pink cape and thinks I am off to fight the bad guys, like Batman. Then we decided that it would better for me to be wonder woman and save the landfills.

It also seems a bit like santa because I have a sack of goodies to give away and it will be getting refilled as we move up the country.

Then he thinks I might be mates with the easter bunny but I am hiding nappies instead of easter eggs...well it is a possibility that we could run into each other!!!

So now I have a new introduction that Daniel thinks is funny...THE NAPPY LADY....da da da da

I can't wait to get going now and meet all of the mums along the way!! Make sure you check out the jam packed Itinerary for what we are doing around the country!

See you soon!!

xx
The Nappy Lady

Press Release February

Kiwi mums gear up for 2,100km road trip

22 March 2012 – Cloth Nappy Week 2012 is less than four weeks away, and a group of intrepid Kiwi mums are gearing up for a whirlwind nine-day, 20-stop road trip designed to spread the word about cloth nappies all over the country.

The Nappy Lady Kate Meads is leading the group of mums and sustainable parenting advocates from Invercargill to Auckland,
a distance of 2,100km – the distance covered by seven million disposable nappies laid end-to-end, the number of disposable nappies being thrown into New Zealand landfills each week*.

With the support of councils nationwide and the sponsorship of over 60 Kiwi businesses, including cloth nappy retailers, Kate is hosting coffee groups and workshops in 20 locations and will also be giving away $40,000 in prizes, including 700 cloth nappies, at stops along the way.

“We’d love to get a cloth nappy into the hands of every interested mum and dad in New Zealand,” explains Kate.

“If every parent of a child in nappies used just one cloth nappy every day, that would save a million nappies from going into our landfills each week, and would save our local councils tens of thousands of dollars per year dealing with disposable nappy waste. I, for one, would prefer my council rates instead go toward equipping parents with the knowledge and tools to raise their children more sustainably, and cloth nappies go a long way toward this goal.”

Kate explains that a baby will need up to 6,000 nappy changes in the first two-and-a-half years of life, and at around 50c per nappy, parents are literally throwing their money away. But modern cloth nappies are not only money-saving, they’re much easier to use than parents are aware.
“Modern cloth nappies are so advanced in design and materials that they truly are no more difficult than washing
a load of laundry.”

This is only one of the messages Kate and her team of Nappy Avengers is spreading during the event, which also focuses on sustainable parenting and education. With events held in Invercargill, Gore, Dunedin, Oamaru, Timaru, Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington, Hutt City, Palmerston North, Hastings, Napier, Gisborne, Tauranga, Katikati, and Auckland, coffee group and workshop spaces are filling fast.

Three Cloth Nappy Week Preview events held in Cambridge and Hamilton last week were a great success and an excellent barometer for what’s to come, Kate says. “We held two coffee groups and a workshop that were extremely well-attended, and the mood among Kiwi mums is definitely one of excitement and anticipation. With less than four weeks to go, we’re seeing increased traffic to our website (www.clothnappyweek.co.nz) and Facebook community (www.facebook.com/clothnappyweek) and I’m getting so many emails about cloth nappies, I can’t keep up with the demand.

“Cloth Nappy Week 2012 is going to be huge, and we can’t wait to spread the word about cloth nappies and empower parents to make better choices for the future of their children’s planet.”
--ENDS--

* Source: Zero Waste New Zealand (www.zerowaste.co.nz/hot-issues/nappies) 





Cloth Nappy Week 2012 Road Trip Itinerary
Media are welcome to attend any of the following Cloth Nappy Week events. The Nappy Lady Kate Meads is also available for interviews and commentary prior to and during the Cloth Nappy Week Road Trip. Please contact Katherine Granich on 021 120 5778 or katherine@copylab.co.nz if you wish to attend.
13 April
11.30am – 12.30pm: Coffee Group, Invercargill Environmental Centre, 67 Glengarry Cres, Invercargill
2.30pm – 3.30pm: Coffee Group, Milk & Honey, 103 Main Street, Gore

14 April
8.30am – 9.30am: Bacon, Eggs and Nappies, Mojo Café, Princess Street, Dunedin
11am –1pm: The Nappy Lady Workshop, The Dunningham Suite, Dunedin City Library, Dunedin
3pm – 4pm: Coffee Group, Steam Café, 7 Thames Street, Oamaru
7pm – 8pm: Wine, Cheese & Nappies, Tussock Restaurant, 51 King Street, Timaru

15 April
10.30am – 11.30am: Coffee Group, South City Shopping Centre, Christchurch
2pm – 3pm: The Nappy Lady Workshop, South City Shopping Centre, Christchurch

16 April
12.30 – 1.30pm: Coffee Group, Robert Harris Cafe, 193 Trafalgar Street, Nelson

17 April
10am – 11.30am: Coffee Group, Southern Cross, 39 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington
1pm – 2.30pm: The Nappy Lady Workshop, Life City Church, 1-3 Parkway, Wainuiomata, Hutt City
6.30pm – 7.30pm: The Nappy Lady Workshop, Southern Cross, 39 Abel Smith Street, Te Aro, Wellington

18 April
12 noon – 1pm: Coffee Group, Robert Harris Café, 73 Church Street, The Square, Palmerston North
6.30pm – 7.30pm: The Nappy Lady Workshop, Hastings Central Library, Cnr Eastbourne Street East & Warren Street South, Hastings

19 April
9am – 10.30am: Coffee Group, Milk and Honey, 10 Hardinge Rd (The Crown Hotel), Ahuriri, Napier
2.30pm – 3.30pm: Coffee Group, Robert Harris Café, Treble Court, Peel Street, Gisborne
6.30pm – 8.30pm: Wine, Cheese & Nappies Workshop, The Winemaker’s Daughters Café, 88 Grey Street, Gisborne
20 April
11am – 12 noon: Coffee Group, Grindz Café, 1st Ave, Tauranga
2pm – 3pm: Coffee Group, Robert Harris Café, Main Road, Katikati
21 April
10am – 12 noon: Nappy Flash Mob and Coffee Group, Robert Harris Café, Upstairs by Whitcoulls, Botany Town Centre, 588 Chapel Road, East Tamaki, Auckland

Cloth Nappy Week 2012 - Press release

Kiwis going the distance for cloth nappies

Friday, 27 January 2012, 1:53 pm
Press Release: Cloth Nappy Week
Kiwis going the distance for cloth nappies

16 January 2012 – Upcoming Cloth Nappy Week 2012 kicks off with a weeklong road trip with a very specific distance in mind. With one million disposable nappies being thrown into New Zealand landfills each day*, or seven million each week, the number of nappies laid end-to-end would stretch to 2,100km – the distance from Invercargill to Auckland. It is this route the Cloth Nappy Week team of mums will be travelling from 14-22 April, in a bid to raise awareness of the benefits of modern cloth nappies over disposables.

“One million disposable nappies is a lot of landfill,” says Kate Meads, also known as The Nappy Lady, who is leading the nationwide movement toward more sustainable diapering solutions for parents.

“In a household with one baby, disposable nappies could constitute up to 50% of their total household waste. With around 145,000 children under age two-and-a-half using six to seven disposable nappies daily, one million disposable nappies are thrown into our landfills each day.

“Dealing with disposable nappy waste costs local councils tens of thousands of dollars per year, and the decomposing material in landfills creates methane gas, a major contributor to global warming. To put it bluntly, disposable nappies are harming our environment in a big way.

“While waste issues are fortunately becoming more and more important, in the meantime, our world is becoming more and more disposable. The big question for the future is, when our landfills are full, where will our rubbish go? I, for one, don’t want to leave my child with a legacy of garbage.”

Kate explains that a baby will need up to 6,000 nappy changes in the first two-and-a-half years of life, and at around 50c per nappy, parents are literally throwing their money away.

“Disposable nappies are seen as more convenient and less time-consuming than cloth nappies,” she explains. “I understand that mindset when it comes to our parents’ generation, but modern cloth nappies are so advanced in design and materials that they truly are no more difficult than washing a load of laundry.”

Cloth Nappy Week, which is a worldwide event taking place 16-22 April, is focused on educating parents about how stylish and easy-to-use cloth nappies are. Kate and her team of Nappy Avengers is taking to the roads of New Zealand starting in Invercargill on 14 April, bringing workshops, information sessions, samples, competitions, giveaways and prizes to crowds of Kiwi parents around the country.

Cloth Nappy Week has an active website (www.clothnappyweek.co.nz) and Facebook community and excitement is prepare to celebrate all things cloth.

“We are fortunate in New Zealand to have an extremely savvy, intelligent, passionate community of parents who are interested in cloth nappies, and a wide range of brands to choose from, stocked by a passionate group of cloth nappy suppliers and retailers,” Kate says. “Cloth Nappy Week is the time for everyone to work together to spread the word, and I’m excited to be taking cloth nappies on the road this year.”

Cloth Nappy Week is scheduled for 16-22 April 2012, and The Cloth Nappy Road Trip kicks off in Invercargill on 14 April, ending in Auckland on 22 April.

ENDS

An Offer from one of my sponsors

Toilet Training Tips From My Friends @ Weepals

I asked my friends at WeePals to send me some toilet training tips to share.... I used these for my son and found them fantastic because when we started out with the ping pong ball it keep disappearing out of the toilet...Where as the weepals lasted months!!

Toilet Training Hints

It is always an exciting time to think that your ‘baby’ is moving onto the next stage of becoming more independent, and finally fewer nappies for you to change.
Here are some things that have worked well for many parents that have made toilet training fun and a less stressful time.

Start when your child shows signs of readiness

Many parents fall into the trap of starting too early. Every child is different; don’t be forced into toilet training too early because others in your coffee group or friends are doing it. You may find that your child may not be physically or emotionally ready to be toilet trained. This could end up taking longer to be fully trained throughout the day.

Other parents have waited until their children were a little older, and had the language skills to tell them when they had filled or soiled their nappy. This meant they were considerably quicker at being toilet trained.

Potty Vs Toilet

A potty can be a great place to start as it is very portable. Many parents have commented on how they would be outside with their little one with no nappy on, while he or she played. When they started to wee, they got the sensation of it running down their leg, and they could be quickly placed on the potty to complete their business. Of course with lots of clapping and high fives when they finally do something in the potty!

Puddles on the floor

‘Little accidents’ and puddles on the floor are all part of it, and as hard as it is at times, you just need to stay positive and keep persevering. Sometimes these accidents happen due to the kids being too preoccupied playing and not wanting to be interrupted to go to the toilet. A suggestion around this is to take your child to the toilet or potty every hour to see if they need to go, if you go to the toilet and they come with you, sit them on the toilet and talk to them about what is happening.

A great idea can be to reward them whenever they had a success on the potty or toilet.

Planning

When making the big decision to begin toilet training, you also need to take into consideration what else is happening within family life and your child’s life. We wouldn't recommend starting toilet training if your child was starting a new playgroup, you were moving house, and there is an illness in the family or a new baby or the way or just arrived in the house. These would all add more stress to everyone which could delay the success of toilet training.

Weepals Toilet Training and Aiming Stickers offer a reward for every user when a fun character appears with each wet warm accurate hit on the potty or in the toilet. Once the toilet is flushed or potty is rinsed the image disappears ready for next time. Weepals can be placed at the bottom of the potty, back or the front of the toilet to suit your child’s needs. Weepals are designed for boys and girls of all ages.

We wish you luck as you start on your journey of toilet training and I know the use of Weepals Toilet Training and Aiming stickers will make it a FUN and ENJOYABLE experience for the whole family!!