New and soon-to-be parents have a chance to win a ‘real nappies’ kit during national Real Nappy Week, which runs from today (27 April) to 3 May.

In the UK, more than 8 million disposable nappies are thrown away each day, ending up in landfill where they take hundreds of years to decompose.

As a way to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill City of York Council and the York and North Yorkshire Waste Partnership promote the use of real (reusable) nappies instead.

To support Real Nappy Week the Partnership is offering people the chance to win a real nappy kit valued at £100. The kit includes a nappy bucket, washable wipes and a roll of liners.  The kit also includes a selection of shaped nappies, including nappies made from bamboo and Microfibre.

It includes all the real nappies and accessories needed to get started on the sustainable and cheaper route to keeping babies dry and clean. 

Reusable nappies help parents and carers to save up to £500 against the cost of disposable alternatives.  They are available in modern designs made from a variety of materials that are kind to babies skin.

Most reusable nappies are made from natural and traditional textiles such as cotton or fleece, while others come from more exotic and historic materials like hemp and bamboo.  They fasten using Velcro or popper fasteners and each nappy comprises a liner, a nappy and a cover, which also come in different colours and bright designs.

For a chance to win a real nappy kit, simply answer the question below:

Question:  What is the exotic material used to make some real nappies that we normally think of as the favourite food of giant pandas?

Answers can be emailed along with your name and address to real.nappies@northyorks.gov.uk or you can post your answer along with your name and address to:

Waste Management, White Rose House, Thurston Road, Northallerton, DL6 2NA. The closing date is 15 May 2009.