Problem
Every year in Wales, more than 25,000 tonnes of disposable nappies and period products are sent for disposal, with each household on average contributing approximately 30kg annually. In Merthyr Tydfil alone, this amounts to about 850 tonnes of waste.
Nappies and absorbent hygiene products make up over 9% of household non-recyclable waste in Merthyr Tydfil. On average, a single child uses between 4,500 and 5,000 nappies before potty training, equating to roughly 150 black bags of nappies per child.
Recognising these environmental and economic challenges, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council identified an opportunity to reduce waste and support residents in adopting reusable alternatives. By promoting the use of reusable nappies and plastic-free period products, the Council aims to divert waste from disposal, reduce household costs and normalise sustainable choices.
Solution
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council implemented several initiatives to promote reusable nappies and period products, targeting accessibility and awareness among residents.
Promoting reusable nappies
To reduce reliance on disposable nappies, the Council partnered with environmental charity Wastesavers to:
- Provide accessible information: New parents and guardians can access clear guidance on reusable nappies through the Council’s website, which outlines financial, environmental and health benefits.
- Support a local “Real Nappy” library: The Council works with a volunteer-led scheme which allows residents to try different reusable nappy types before committing to a purchase.
- Encourage uptake through incentives: Residents can access subsidised reusable nappy packs via the National Nappy Incentive Scheme.
- Organise engagement events: In partnership with Wastesavers and it’s Real ’ Nappy Library, families may attend monthly drop-in sessions at a local community centre to learn more, and are given a free supply of reusable nappies. The partnership also runs a stall at the Little Pickles Market at Merthyr Tydfil Leisure Centre three times a year; these are second-hand markets aimed at expecting families, where the team educates and informs visitors about the benefits of reusable nappies. And d uring the annual Real Nappy Week event, Merthyr Tydfil-based parents are invited to demonstrations and workshops to learn more about these products.
Reducing disposable period product waste
Following the successful “Love Your Period, Love Your Planet” campaign in March 2023, the Council secured additional funding from Welsh Government’s Period Dignity Grant to increase access. This funding enabled:
- Free reusable or bamboo period product collections: The grant enabled an expansion of the Council’s existing initiative, ensuring plastic-free and/or reusable period products remain widely accessible, particularly for those experiencing financial hardship.
- Period product vending machines: The Council used the funding to install period product vending machines in school toilets, providing students with access to reusable products.
- Community collection points: A network of local distribution points ensures the reusable products are widely available beyond schools.
- Educational outreach: Schools received visits from an environmental campaigner, raising awareness among young people of the benefits and maintenance of reusable period products and how information should be available in toilets.
Impact
Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council’s proactive promotion of reusable nappies and period products – in partnership with Wastesavers – has delivered social, environmental and financial benefits, including:
- Reduction in disposable waste: A noticeable reduction in the number of disposable nappies across the county.
- Increase in public awareness of ‘real’ nappies: In the past year, the Real Nappy Library has engaged approximately 60 families at events and given away 80 cloth nappies, resulting in greater awareness of existing reusable nappy options for new parents and guardians.
- Support for those in need: The Real Nappy Library regularly provides bundles of free cloth nappies to food pantries at local community hubs, making reusable options accessible to those not able to purchase products.
- Increased access to reusable period products: In 2023, the Council distributed reusable period products to 28 schools and 21 community-based organisations, ensuring access for many.
- Cost savings for residents: Residents who switched to reusable period products made substantial savings, having obtained the items free of charge.
The proactive promotion of reusable nappies, combined with the effective use of the Period Dignity Grant, has yielded benefits for both the Council and its residents.
A 2025 update
More recently, in 2025, Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council and Wastesavers also:
- Attended Baby Groups at Gellideg Wellbeing Centre and provided reusable nappies for the Community Pantry (food banks).
- Spoke with parents at Happy Hands Club events for babies and toddlers at Aberfan Community Centre and Play-Zone at Trago Mills superstore.
In November 2025, the partnership will also attend Cymraeg i Blant (“Welsh for Babies”) Baby Massage and Baby Yoga classes held across the county in four different areas and speak with families about how they can save money and improve their carbon footprint by switching from disposable nappies to reusable products.