NEW parents in Limerick are being given a shot at helping save the world for their much-loved newborns, with a gift of free cloth nappies.
This initiative, spearheaded by VOICE Ireland in partnership with University Maternity Hospital Limerick (UMHL) and the local authorities of Limerick City and County, Clare, and Tipperary, is designed to help families transition to reusable cloth nappies.
Eligible antenatal patients attending UMHL will receive a starter pack of 10 reusable cloth nappies, 12 washable cloth wipes, a waterproof storage bag, absorbent inserts made from bamboo, cotton, and hemp.
Ireland currently sends around one million disposable nappies to landfill each day. According to the EPA’s 2022 Household Waste Characterisation report, nappies make up 10 per cent of kerbside residual waste — amounting to over 75,000 tonnes annually.
Reusable cloth nappies offer a more sustainable solution, with a 25 per cent lower carbon footprint over their lifecycle compared to disposables, according to a 2023 life cycle analysis by the Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs.
Helen Kenneally, environmental awareness officer at Limerick City and County Council said that “making the switching to cloth nappies is a meaningful change that can have a big environmental impact.”
Eileen Ronan, director of Midwifery at UMHL, said the programme is “a practical way for families to reduce waste and embrace sustainability. It provides the opportunity for families to make the eco-conscious choice while at the same time saving money.”
Families in Limerick, Clare, and Tipperary can apply for a free starter pack on voiceireland.org/cloth-nappy-incentive-scheme.