LGA responds to reusable nappy announcement

LGA responds to reusable nappy announcement

Commenting on former waste minister, Ben Bradshaw's announcement in the Commons last week on the environmental impacts of disposable and reusable nappies, Cllr Paul Bettison, Chairman of the LGA Environment Board, said:

'Around eight million nappies are thrown away everyday in the UK. All eight million end up in landfill as there isn't any other way to deal with a disposable nappy. It costs local authorities £67 million a year to bury used disposable nappies.

'Councils are under huge financial pressure because of the escalating cost of landfill tax and EU laws. Landfill tax has just increased by a third and could cost councils £3bn over the next four years. In 2010, councils and consequently the taxpayer are facing fines of up to £150 a tonne of rubbish that is sent to be dumped into landfill sites over set limits.

'Councils are on the frontline in the fight against climate change and working hard to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill but ultimately we must make sure less waste is produced in the first place. Reusable nappies are the only way to prevent the nappy mountain landfill problem.'

ENDS

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