Reusable nappies

Learn how to use reusable nappies

Access free resources, FAQs and how-to guides about reusable nappies at The Nappy Project website. 

Why make the switch?

• Save money. Disposable nappies can cost $3,600 per child over 2.5 years. Switching to reusables can save an approximate $2,270 per child during that time. 
• Help our environment. Switching to reusable nappies, or using a combination of disposable and reusable, makes a big environmental difference. Approximately two billion disposable nappies end up in landfill per year in Australia and each one is estimated to take up to 150 years to break down.

Support for parents and caregivers: The Nappy Project 

The Nappy Project is on a mission to help everyone feel confident using modern reusable nappies — and in a way that works for you!

Led by Glen Eira City Council in partnership with 13 Victorian Councils, The Nappy Project is a free community program that aims to make it easier for parents and caregivers to choose reusable nappies more often.

The Nappy Project combines hands on workshops and easy how-to guides with a complimentary starter kit of reusable nappies and wipes.

The Nappy Project achievements

Reviews and feedback from community members who were part of the first round of workshops said the program “helps make reusable nappy usage more accessible and feel more achievable” and they “love that this is being offered, so fantastic!”

• Over 1000 people have attended workshops across the 14 Melbourne Council areas.
• Before attending a workshop, only a quarter of participants had ever tried reusable nappies before, and the majority of attendees were only using disposable nappies.
• Follow-up surveys with participants found that 80 per cent now use reusable nappies.
• The amount of disposable nappies going to landfill amongst the group was cut down by 75 per cent.

The first round of workshops are now complete. To hear about future workshops sign up to our sustainability newsletter. 

To access free resources and information about reusable nappies, visit The Nappy Project website. 

The Nappy Project is based on parent feedback and evidence

The Nappy Project is delivered under the Best Practice Reusable Nappy Program — Implementation, led by Glen Eira City Council. This program has been awarded $128,000 from Sustainability Victoria, through the Victorian Government’s Circular Economy Councils Fund.

A collaborative Reusable Nappy Feasibility Study was conducted in 2022 across 12 councils to understand current behaviours and barriers to using reusable nappies. The study recommended a best practice model to support community members with targeted education, easy to understand information and increased opportunities to learn how to make best use of reusable nappies. 

Glen Eira Cr Jim Magee said the targeted education program is offering families and expecting-parents more support to learn about and adopt modern reusable options. 

“In the feasibility study, we heard how hard it can be for busy parents to research alternatives to disposables. By delivering a Reusable Nappy Program based on parent feedback, we want to make it simpler for households to find sustainable choices that work for them.” 

The Nappy Project has implemented the findings of the study and aims to make it easier for parents and caregivers to use reusable nappies, or a combination of reusable and disposable. 

The participating municipalities include Bayside City Council, Boroondara City Council, Brimbank City Council, Glen Eira City Council, Knox City Council, Maribyrnong City Council, Maroondah City Council, City of Monash, Moonee Valley City Council, Nillumbik Shire Council, Stonnington City Council, City of Yarra, Yarra Ranges Council and Whitehorse City Council.