NAPPIES make up around five per cent of all household waste collected by bin men in the borough- all of which goes to landfill.

At the same time, the Government’s Environment Agency has issued a report stating that using cloth washable nappies can create less carbon emissions than disposable ones.

This is possible if nappies are washed in full loads in an energy efficient machine and if they are line-dried afterwards.

Bromley Council’s portfolio holder for environment and leisure, Councillor Colin Smith is encouraging people to use washable nappies which can be washed and used again.

He said: “We believe it will reduce the waste sent to landfill if people are prepared to do it.

“If cleaned properly it can be environmentally friendly to do.

“We appreciate it is a squimish subject and people have different views on nappies.

“We are not trying to preach on this.”

The Women's Environmental Network (WEN) which looks at environmental issues facing women has been highlighting the findings by the Environment Agency that cloth nappies can create less carbon emissions than disposable ones.

WEN spokesman, Biba Hartigan, said: "At last, this report supports what WEN has been stating for decades - real nappies are best for the environment.

“It's easy to make a difference with a sensible washing routine. It's just common sense. And parents can save money with real nappies too."

To find out more about the different types of washable nappies, how to use them and where you can get them from, visit realnappiesforlondon.org.uk or call 020 7324 4709.

The findings are from a report by the Environment Agency called Life Cycle Assessment of Disposable and Reusable Nappies in the UK, which is available to view in full on the Defra website at defra.gov.uk