Project objective

This project is a 12-council collaboration undertaking a feasibility study into the effectiveness of reusable nappy programs in local communities. The feasibility study will recommend a best practice model for participating Councils (which may be one or more programs) that is effective in addressing barriers to using reusable nappies, and supporting parents to use reusable nappies and reduce their waste to landfill.

The aim of this project is to reduce waste to landfill in kerbside waste bins. The main objectives of this study, and the recommended model/s are to:

• Identify the main barriers to using reusable nappies and identify a program model that addresses these barriers
• Target parents that are “cloth curious” in addition to those who would use reusable nappies regardless of the program (early adopters)
• Create long-term behaviour change in the community in the use of reusable nappies as an alternative to disposable nappies

Project impacts

There is a need for to support behaviour change to reduce waste to landfill:

• 2 billion nappies are sent to landfill each year in Australia
• More than 76,000 babies are born each year in Victoria
• Each child, on average, generates 700kg of disposable nappies
• Each disposable nappy takes 500 years to break down in landfill
• <10% of general waste is disposable nappies in Bayside.

The aim of this project is to develop a feasibility study that will recommend a best practice model for participating Councils (which may be one or more programs) that will be effective in addressing barriers to using reusable nappies, and supporting parents to use reusable nappies and reduce their waste to landfill.

What information do we need from the community?

• Understand behaviours relating to standard nappies versus reusable nappies
• Identify main barriers to using reusable nappies
• Understand if there is a desire to use reusable nappies
• Identify sections of the community most interested in using reusable nappies
• Program/options that would encourage and support reusable nappy use

What can the community influence?

• The research findings
• The type of programs or models that will be considered for Council to plan and implementation in the future

What can’t the community influence?

• Consideration for the planning and implementation of programs and models relating to other reusable products such as menstrual or medical. (out of scope)

Stakeholders and community

Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter

Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated

Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum

Stakeholder / community	Impact	Interest	Influence
Parents with children in nappies	L	H	Consult
Grandparents of children in nappies	L	M	Consult
Kindergarten and ELC staff	L	M	Inform
MCH Nurses	L	H	Inform
Bayside Healthy Ageing Reference Group	L	M	Consult

Selected tools and techniques

The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought.

Key tools for communicating the project

• Emails to relevant database(s)
• Posters with QR code to Have Your Say page – Libraries, MCH Centres, ELCs
• Email to subscribers from Bin Collection Changes and other relevant projects
• Social media sponsored posts
• This Week in Bayside e-news
• Let’s Talk Bayside article

Key methods for gathering feedback

• Have Your Say project page including survey to provide feedback.
• Focus groups – recruited by consultant based on survey respondents

Project timelines

• April 2021 - 12-council collaborative application to Sustainability Victoria for a feasibility study into a best-practice reusable nappy program
• June 2021 - Funding outcome – successful
• October 2021- Appoint consultant to facilitate feasibility study across the 12 councils
• 13 Jan- 21 Feb 2022 - Survey open
• Feb-March 2022 - Focus groups
• Data analysis and report writing / Draft models
• Development of implementation grants submission to Sustainability Victoria’s Council’s fund
• Implement reusable nappy program(s) across 12 council areas.

Decision-making process

The survey for this project will be open between Thursday, 13 January to Thursday, 24 February. Focus groups will then be undertaken to gauge qualitative feedback from specific stakeholder groups. The information and data gathered from both the survey and focus groups will inform the development of reusable nappy programs and models to plan and implement. The outcomes will inform a submission to Recycling Victoria’s Council’s grants funding. Interested parties can subscribe to a mailing list to be updated about the project by selecting the blue subscribe+ button at the top of this page.

More information

Faina Levin

Waste Management Strategy Officer

9599 4799 | flevin@bayside.vic.gov.au