Reusable nappy scheme to offer free starter kits to low-income parents in West Lothian

A reusable nappy hire scheme is launching in West Lothian, aiming to save parents money and help the planet become cleaner.

EcoBumz is the first scheme of its kind in the area and will provide free or low-cost packs of reusable nappies for families to try.

It is the latest project by the Livingston-based social enterprise Kidzeco, which has built a large following with varied community support work.

Funding from West Lothian Climate Action Network has paid for starter kits to help EcoBumz get started.

The hire programme will introduce reusable nappies to parents who may not have considered them for various reasons.

While reusable nappies offer savings in the long term, the upfront costs can be off-putting when new parents face so many other expenses. Lack of confidence to try them or fear of the effort involved are other barriers that the scheme will address.

Nicole Bate project leader for EcoBumz displays one of the reusable nappy kits that will be part of a new hire scheme. LDRS

The six-week starter pack will be provided free for families on low incomes. Health visitors and community organisations will refer parents to sign-up. Those who are not in financial need but want to try will be able to access the starter packs for a small fee, with a refundable deposit. Kidzeco’s volunteers will provide support.

Each newborn pack includes cloth nappies, liners, inserts, nappy covers, wet bag and wipes, mesh washbag as well as a selection of wrap nappies, popper nappies, pads and accessories.

Contrary to how it was in the days when large towelling squares were an effort to wash and dry, modern cloth nappies have evolved.

Nicole Bate, who led Kidzeco’s funding application to WLCAN, said: “Having a source of support and advice in West Lothian will be great for local parents. Lots of people I’ve spoken to have been interested in cloth nappies but didn’t know where to start.

“This is the only scheme of its kind in West Lothian. Currently, families must travel to Edinburgh, Glasgow or Falkirk to access similar services, creating a significant gap in local provision. Our project fills that gap, offering a practical, stigma-free way for families to explore reusable nappies close to home.

“The project removes financial and practical barriers that prevent families from trying reusable nappies – making sustainable parenting more accessible, affordable, and supported from the very beginning.

“We’ll also train local parents with lived experience of cloth nappies as peer supporters to engage and encourage others. This ensures the project is rooted in real community voices.”

Nicole researched UK local authority data on reusable nappies in landfill. A single disposable nappy will take up to 500 years to decompose. She also used the UK Government’s 2023 Life Cycle Assessment published by Defra as the basis for wider carbon‑impact comparisons between disposable and reusable nappies.

Disposables generate 550kg of CO₂ emissions in 2.5 years – reusables can reduce this by up to 40%. Reusables can save families up to £1,475 per child. UK councils spend £32m annually disposing of nappies via landfill or incineration.

One of the mums who uses cloth nappies, Catherine, said: “We started using cloth nappies when our oldest was born, mostly for the cost savings. The same nappies are now being used for our third baby so I think we’ve got our money’s worth!

“The environmental impact is important to me too, I like knowing that my babies’ nappies won’t be sitting in a landfill site somewhere hundreds of years from now.”

The scheme will become self-sustaining through reuse of packs, low-cost hire fees, donations and volunteer support. Families will be able to purchase reusable nappies through the Kidzeco Livingston store.

Nicole added: “This is a practical, high-impact initiative that supports families, reduces waste, and builds a more sustainable future – one nappy at a time.”

The funding of £2,075 came from WLCAN’s Eco Development Fund, which has now distributed over £83,000 to 50 community projects in West Lothian. These are all grassroots activities, such as reducing waste, increasing local food growing, and improving West Lothian’s green spaces and waters.