WHEN you’re strapped for cash and expecting a new addition to the family, bringing up your child to be eco-friendly might be the last thing on your mind.

But there's no need to worry, being a green parent is easier and cheaper than you might expect. It all depends how green you want to go.

They might be the easy option, but UK landfills are groaning under the 700 million tons of nappy waste a year.

By opting for reusable nappies instead of disposables, you'll not only help the environment, you’ll also save around £500 over the course of your baby’s nappy needs.

“Real nappies are much more comfortable for the baby to wear and they are cheaper,” says Gilly Porter, who owns Little Eco, in Rectory Grove, Leigh. “They are also much kinder to the environment.”

Gilly set up her store with husband David following the birth of their son Ted, now three, after struggling to find eco-friendly baby items elsewhere. The store is one of the key suppliers of Southend Council’s free nappy packs, which are worth £50 and available to all residents in Southend.

Each pack includes six pre-folded nappies and two shaped nappies, which are all made from cloth, as well as a nappy wrap waterproof layer and a pack of disposable nappy liners and allow mums to try them out.

“Cloth nappies have moved on a long way” says Gilly, “They come in all shapes, sizes and designs and to suit all budgets.

“You can get ones that will fit from birth to toddler, adjustable by folds and poppers, all-in-ones that come with the waterproof wrap ready attached for convenience, or the two-piece, which involves a shaped nappy and a separate wrap to keep the moisture in.”

There’s no risk of injuries from safety pins either. The cloth varieties are now held together by a variety of methods, including poppers, velcro and nappy fasteners.

You can even co-ordinate the nappy to match your mood with designs available in all colours and a wide choice of funky prints. It is thought the average baby uses between 4,000 and 6,000 disposable nappies from birth to potty age, and families who choose washable nappies could help cut carbon emissions by 40 per cent.

  • For more information on the free council pack, call Little Eco on 01702 472324.