To reuse or not reuse?

You probably haven't heard of the Waste and Resources Action Programme - or WRAP as they are cleverly known. But, on top of giving the public the deeply philosophical question of what came first: the name "Waste and Resources Action Programme" or the acronym "WRAP", it has also blessed the Great British public with its Real Nappy Campaign. The aim of this campaign was to encourage parents to use reusable nappies instead of causing waste (for want of a better word) by using disposable nappies. How very noble indeed. Until you find out that it was you and me paying for this and there is an even more ridiculous punch line to come!

Firstly, the Government-funded Real Nappy Campaign has cost taxpayers £2.3 million over three years. It has also led local authorities, such as Three Rivers district council, in south-west Hertfordshire, to give parents £80 if they use a nappy laundry service for six months. All in the name of saving the environment. Wrong.

Ben Bradshaw,the new health minister, has responded to a parliamentary question about a four-year study by the Environment Agency on the benefits of using reusable nappies by saying "-there is little or nothing to choose between them-". Yes. That's right. We have spent millions on a scheme that the government knew nothing about and only implemented because it sounded right. He went on" -Reusable nappies may reduce demands on landfill but they still impact on the environment in other ways such as water and energy used in washing and drying them-." Aren't they supposed to do the research first and then implement the policy? What a farcical waste of money.