PRESS RELEASE

25 May 2005

CRN2005/05/02

For immediate release

CRN criticises Environment Agency report on nappies

Community Recycling Network (CRN) UK supports the comments of the Waste and Resource Action Programme (WRAP) and the Women's Environmental Network (WEN) regarding the weakness of the assumptions underlying the recent Environment Agency report, 'Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies in the UK'.

CRN UK coordinator Andy Moore says: "It is imperative that such high profile and widely publicised reports use robust information in a rapidly evolving and contested area of public policy such as waste minimisation and behavioural change.

" Leaving aside the weaknesses in the data used, the details of which have been well rehearsed since its publication, the report clearly indicates that improvements in the environmental performance of disposable nappies are reliant on advancements in technological and industrial processes. Conversely the changes needed to improve the environmental performance of reusable nappies are immediately available to parents and carers through small changes to their own behaviour.

Far from undermining the case for the promotion of washable nappies, as has been argued by some in the disposables industry and in the media, the report's findings, and the response from WEN and others, highlight that the environmental returns can only be achieved by supporting parents in changing their behaviour to make more sustainable choices.

There are clearly continuing improvements to be made on energy and water use. On the key issue of waste however there is no argument that washable nappies make a significant contribution to meeting the UK's obligations under the Landfill Directive. On a more practical level, washables provide a straightforward solution to households facing the introduction of fortnightly waste collections and the subsequent issues of wheelie bins overflowing with nappy waste.

Andy Moore says: "CRN members play a significant role both locally and nationally in supporting parents using washable nappies through schemes funded by WRAP, CRED, local authorities and others. Locally delivered community-based schemes play a vital role in encouraging behavioural change. They also provide an entry point for many parents into understanding how their personal choices have global environmental implications as well as signposting them to other local health and social support services.

"This report's findings, while flawed, highlight the opportunities to use existing nappy networks and incentive schemes to engage parents on a wider range of sustainability issues. It should be seen as an argument to strengthen rather than diminish the investment in promotional and behavioural change programmes.

"The weakness of the data within this report and the overwhelmingly negative press coverage surrounding the use of washable nappies that it generated reflect poorly upon the Agency in its management and handling of this important and costly piece of research. We would welcome further discussion with the Agency on how we can work together to deliver the key environmental messages required to realise the full environmental benefits of washable nappies. We would also be happy to provide data and real case study examples for future research in this area."

ENDS

Notes for editors The Community Recycling Network UK is a national umbrella organisation for more than 300 community groups, co-operatives and not-for-profit businesses in the community waste sector. Its aim is to promote community-based recycling as the most effective way of tackling the UK's growing waste problem. Its members have achieved some of the highest recycling rates in the UK and offer separated kerbside recycling collections to 1.6 million households - seven per cent of the UK population.

The Community Recycling Network UK is based at Trelawney House, Surrey Street, Bristol, BS2 8PS, tel: 0117 942 0142. The CRN website is www.crn.org.uk.