Proposal to early childhood centres to trial cloth
nappies
Auckland Council and the Nappy Lady have been collaborating with Auckland Early
Childhood Centres (ECCs) since October 2012 to encourage them to try using cloth
nappies, rather than disposables. Many of the ECC’s that have taken part in the
trials so far, have decided to switch to using cloth nappies. These include A’oga
Fa’asamoa in Grey Lynn, KINZ in Mission Heights and Tamariki Ātaahua in Panmure.
Auckland Council offers ECC’s the opportunity to trial cloth nappies and reap the
benefits our trial centres receive.
What you should gain by participating:
Cost savings on waste disposal and disposable nappy costs
Environmental benefits – reduced footprint
Earlier toilet training
Greater engagement between parents and Centre staff
Understanding of the types & volume of waste produced at Centre
Support and information on how to reduce Centre waste
How the cloth nappy trial works:
Step 1:
• Liaise with the cloth nappy programme
coordinator at Auckland Council to see if
your centre is suitable for a cloth nappy trial.
• Meeting between Auckland Council and key
centre staff and management to plan the
trial.
• Review centre washing/storage facilities,
number, and size of children in nappies.
• Address concerns of parents and staff.
Step 2:
• Once the centre has agreed to go ahead
with the trial a waste assessment will be
conducted, and a report created by Council
to determine how much & what types of waste the ECC is producing. We can
arrange an optional ‘Waste 101’ session for staff to deepen their
understanding around waste issues and why we are promoting reusable
products.
Step 3:
• Cloth nappies will be delivered by the Council along with supporting
documentation and the nappy trial agreement.
• Implement cloth nappy trial at ECC for eight weeks.
• First day: Kate Meads (The Nappy Lady) spends half a day at the centre to
support staff to set up and practice use of cloth nappies.
Step 4:
• Kate Meads (The Nappy Lady), and an Auckland Council representative are
the first point of contact for support throughout the trial.
• Parents & staff will be encouraged to attend local cloth nappy workshops,
where trial packs of two cloth nappies, along with other reusable products
are available for $25 (actual worth $90). Staff can attend for free but won’t
receive the nappy pack.
• If there is strong interest within the community, we can arrange a smaller,
more focussed session with Kate Meads for staff and whanau associated with
the centre. We have smaller trial packs available for $5 available at these
sessions. The centre would be responsible for hosting and promoting this
workshop.
Step 5:
• At the end of the trial a second waste assessment will be conducted to
determine how much waste has changed and been reduced.
• At the end of the trial, the ECC commercially launders and stocktakes the
cloth nappy trial pack, replacing any missing nappies from the trial pack.
• The centre must complete the survey and case study provided by the council
and have a debrief with Council staff.
What we will offer:
• Support and mentoring from Kate Meads, Council staff, and staff from ECCs
that already use cloth nappies (as available).
• Access to public workshops about cloth nappies.
• Assistance for the Centre to buy cloth nappies at wholesale prices, if they
decide to use them after the trial has been completed.
• A booklet designed to assist ECC’s over the course of the trial.
• A waste assessment before and after the trial to establish the savings made
to your waste (in tonnes) will be completed.
• During and after the trial we may be able to assist you to reduce other waste
that your ECC produces, such as food waste and improved recycling.
What we will need from you:
• Open feedback and communication, including a debrief at the completion of
the trial.
• To complete two online surveys – one at the start of the trial, and one over
the course of the trial, plus simple parent and staff surveys (templates
provided).
• To assign a staff ‘nappy champion’ at your centre; this person needs to be at
the centre often, will attend a council nappy workshop, is at Kate Mead’s
introductory first day and has a genuine interest/passion for ‘going cloth’.
• The willingness for staff to mentor other centres that participate in cloth
nappy trials (when available and appropriate).
• Hot washing facilities (including bag or bucket for dirty nappies and a water
supply which will reach 60⁰C).
• To provide your own nappy liners (if you choose to use these).
• To stocktake and commercially launder all nappies provided (& replace where
necessary) at the end of the trial for collection by Council staff.
Contact Information
For more information from Council:
Catherine Lord
WasteWise Advisor (Programmes)
Auckland Council
Phone: 021 587 379
Email: [email address]
For nappy specific questions:
Kate Meads
The Nappy Lady
Phone: 07-549-2995
Cell Phone: 0272211242
Email
: katemeads.co.nz
For information from other ECCs who have trialled cloth nappies:
Jan Taouma
A'oga Fa'a Samoa
Richmond Road Primary School
Grey Lynn
Phone: 09-378-0403
Em
ail: [email address]
Website
: http://www.aogafaasamoa.school.nz/
Vaolele Walker
Le Malelega a le To'elau ECE
Radonich Park
40 Cleek Road
Mangere East
Phone: 09 270 0263
Em
ail: [email address]
Website
: www.fountainofknowledge.co.nz/our-learning-centres
Tracey Mansell
Ngā Kākano o te Mānuka (part of Te Wānanga o Aotearoa)
10 Canning Crescent
Mangere
Phone: 027 233 1435
Sharon Alderson
Tamariki Ataahua ELC
[email address]
Phone: 09 527 1961