Push for eco-friendly nappies

When Tiaki Early Learning Centre was being conceived its owners knew one thing was certain - they were going to use cloth nappies.

More than four years on and the centre is still washing and drying dozens of nappies a week as they commit to reducing their global footprint.

International Cloth Nappy Week comes to an end on Friday and Tiaki co-owner Viv Fisk said the design of cloth nappies had changed since when she used them on her own children.

"I was thinking of the old school square ones with the red stripe but then I discovered the fancy ones with the pads in the middle,' Mrs Fisk said.

"I thought they were so cool."

The centre bought a lot off Trade Me to enable it to clothe about 10 children in cloth nappies. Each child is sent home wearing a cloth nappy and parents are given a clean one to dress their child in the next day.

Mrs Fisk said they do a lot of recycling and wash all their nappies at the centre. They use an eco washing powder and their washing machine is energy and water efficient. The nappies dry on the washing line outside.

"I'd say it's worth the effort, especially from the lack of nappy rash side of things. ... we've rarely had nappy rash, it just doesn't happen with cloth. Also, the thought of bags of disposable nappies sitting there in the dump is quite revolting."

Cloth Nappy Week is from April 2 to 12 and has involved a nationwide treasure hunt. The Cloth Nappy Lady, Kate Meads from Katikati, has been travelling the length and breadth of New Zealand promoting modern cloth nappies to mums and dads.

There are a number of different styles of modern cloth nappies, ranging from the Babyco brand sold at Baby Factory for $9.99 each to custom handmade nappies which sell for more than $40 each.