To mark Real Nappy Week (21-27 April), Hackney Council is hosting the Real Nappy Picnic in the Park event on Saturday 26 April, 11am-3pm, London Fields, E8.

Parents, carers and babies are invited to come along to this free, fun packed event to see for themselves how modern and easy real cloth nappies are.

Around three per cent of the UK’s waste comes from disposable nappies – around the weight of 70,000 double decker buses every year.

Hackney Council offers a £54 voucher to help parents get started using cloth nappies. This money can go towards the cost of buying cloth nappies of for a nappy laundry service. Real nappies are cheaper in the long run than disposables – you can save around £500 per baby if you wash them at home.

Fiona Fletcher-Smith, Corporate Director for Neighbourhoods and Regeneration, said: “The benefits of using real cloth nappies are huge, not only in terms of reducing the environmental impact of disposable nappies, but also the savings that can be made.”

Activities on the day include a Clown show, face painting, organic food stalls, real nappy ‘Retailers Corner’, live music and free massages. Also, opportunity to meet Hackney Council’s recycling team and parents from the Hackney Real Nappy Network, who will be on hand to offer advice.

To apply for the voucher or for further information call 020 7324 4709 or visit www.realnappiesforlondon.org.uk/apply