Disposable nappies were created as parents increasingly wanted freedom from washing nappies. A former assistant beauty editor of America Vogue, Marion Donovan came from a family of inventors. She began creating plastic coverings for cloth nappies to stop leakage, using shower curtain material. In 1946 she patented "the boater" made from parachute cloth. It covered the cloth nappy. It was successfully marketed from 1949.

Procter and Gamble were the first company to make serious money out of the nappy with their own design that came later when they launched Pampers in the USA in 1961. The first pamper still lies in landfill with full biodegradability estimated at 150 years. The first disposable nappy was sold in Australia in 1965. Over 400 billion (an incomprehensible amount) of disposable nappies remain in landfills throughout the world.

Would you like to reduce waste and stop the use of disposable nappies?

We are conducting a free information session on modern cloth nappies. This workshop will show you how easy the modern cloth nappy is to use and clean, and will help you decide which style of nappy will suit your baby best.

 The modern cloth nappy is vastly different from cloth nappies of the past. They are very user friendly, come in a range of sizes, colours, patterns and fabric types with no safety pins in sight!

This session will cover the following information.

• The benefits of using cloth nappies.
• The different styles of cloth nappies available.
• What you need to start using cloth nappies.
• How to fit the nappies and care for them.
• What all is involved in cleaning the cloth nappies.
• Discuss the economic and environmental benefits of cloth nappies.

 The workshop also includes a hands-on component with baby dolls to try them out on. The all-important question of "What do I do with the poo?" will also be answered!

Current cloth nappy users can bring along any cloth nappies you have if you'd like help with fitting or support using them.

 Workshop facilitator, Alice, has been using modern cloth nappies on her young children from when they were born, and has run many nappy workshop across Sydney and the Illawarra.

 New and expecting parents, grandparents, and carers are all welcome.

FAQs

What are my transport/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Workshop participants to make their own way to 27 Munda Street Randwick (South Coogee). There is plenty of parking.

 What can I bring into the event?

Participants to bring their own water bottle as all Council events are free of single use plastics.

 How can I contact the organiser with any questions?

You can contact the workshop organiser by email: anil.gupta@randwick.nsw.gov.au

 Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

No. Council encourages reduction of waste and hence will have the names of the participants from the booking form.