From Adrian Lane, Exeter 383262, April 28, 2008

RELEASE ON BEHALF OF THE DEVON REAL NAPPY PROJECT

PROUD Dunsford parents Emma and Andrew Barker are showing off their new son Freddie and the £120 of real nappies they won during Real Nappy Week last week (21-27 April).

The prize was awarded by the Devon Real Nappy Project to the first baby born at Okehampton hospital during Real Nappy Week.

Baby Freddie James Barker was born on Tuesday 22nd April, weighing a healthy 7lb 13oz.

Freddie's mum, Emma, said: "It was brilliant being able to try out real nappies in hospital and realising that they actually do work. We hope to be able to use them from now on with Freddie and also with our daughter Daisy who is 15 months."

Real Nappy Week is part of a national campaign which aims to inform parents of the alternatives to disposable nappies and highlights how parents can help combat climate change by using real nappies.

All nappies use energy, whether it is to make disposables or to wash real ones. But, taking everything into account, washing nappies at home leads to less climate change impact than using disposables.

Bryan Carson, Chair of the Devon Authorities Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee, said: "There have been numerous events held across Devon to promote Real Nappy Week and the fact that Emma has been converted to real nappies is just one example of the benefits these events can bring. With over 28 million disposable nappies being thrown away in Devon every year, using real nappies even part time can make a difference and will also save up to 5,600 tonnes of waste going to landfill."

Real nappies are also cheaper to use than disposables. Parents can save up to £500 on average (including washing costs) compared to using disposables and even more savings can be achieved if the same nappies are used for subsequent babies.

For more information about real nappies and events in your area, please contact The Devon Real Nappy Project on 0800 328 8175 or visit www.recycledevon.org

Notes to Editors:

A photograph of Emma and Freddie is available from the Media and PR Office on 01392 383262.

The Devon Real Nappy Project is funded by the Devon Authorities Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee. It provides free information and advice about real nappies to parents in Devon. It also provides free real nappy trial kits to parents who want to try before they buy in most areas of Devon and offers interest free loans to parents in some Sure Start areas to help with the initial costs of buying real nappies.

The Devon Authorities Waste Reduction and Recycling Committee consists of 8 district authorities, Devon County Council and Plymouth and Torbay unitary authorities.

The annual campaign is co-ordinated by Women's Environmental Network (WEN) and the Real Nappy Campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of modern washable nappies.

The environmental impact of using real nappies can be significantly reduced by following this advice:

• Use A rated appliances
• Wash nappies at 60C in a full load
• Wet nappies and wraps can be washed at 40C with other laundry
• Store used nappies in a dry lidded bucket - don't soak
• Use an eco washing detergent and don't use fabric softener
• Air dry rather than tumble dry
• Use washable liners (fleece or silk)
• Avoid PVC, try and use organic or unbleached products
• Never iron nappies or wraps
• Pass your nappies on when you have finished with them, or buy second hand items.

Waste: Nearly three billion disposable nappies are thrown away in the UK every year creating 670,000 tonnes of nappy waste.