A drive to boost an alternative to disposals is on

"Nappucino mornings" - combining coffee and real nappy information - have been prompted a campaign by the Women's Environmental Network.

Supporters of Real Nappy Week (until 4 April) are also going into maternity wards to persuade parents to think green.

"Getting into hospitals is the crucial missing link," said Elaine Green, who runs Angel Cheeks nappy service in Llanddulas, near Colwyn Bay.

I just don't want the baby's nappies to be around when he is a grandfather - any beyond, Sue Cole, mum

She wants to see free cloth nappies on wards so parents immediately use them.

Ms Green, a mother of five, started her company two years ago.

"I think seeing cloth nappies on wards will eventually take off, it has to come from health professionals."

Environmental cost

Environmental campaigners say getting rid of Wales' disposal nappies into landfill costs the tax payer �1.8m a year.

Richard Thomas, of Sustainable Wales, said: "It's a bit of a long haul - to try to get young families to think about trying them."

Welsh parents throw away an average of 200m disposal nappies annually.

But changing over to cloth nappies, which parents can buy outright or use through a laundry service at around �7 to �8 a week, is prioritised in the government's 2003 Waste Implementation Programme.

The initial outlay for parents buying cloth nappies might be expensive but it would save the use of an average 5,500 disposal nappies from birth to potty for one child, says Catherine Knight, of Wrexham Council.

She said: "It's about trying to reduce the amount of waste going into landfill, disposal nappies don't fully degrade for hundreds of years."

Miss Knight, community recycling and waste education officer, is meeting with midwives to press the importance of the issue.

"We have put displays on in the maternity ward (at Wrexham Maelor Hospital) and the staff were very receptive, we are trying to look at key places."

Mother Sue Cole, of Gabalfa, Cardiff, said parents still think real nappies are all about 'terry' nappies and pins.

"They're not and it's not any extra effort but babies make enough washing anyway so it doesn't make any difference," she said.

"I just don't want the baby's nappies to be around when he is a grandfather - any beyond."

Private nappy companies, such as Angel Cheeks, Cotton Tails, Baby First Nappies and Gentle Touch, operate throughout Wales.

Growing interest

"Interest is growing across Wales, we've had phone calls from all areas of Wales," said Mr Thomas.

"Councils are interested because landfill tax is going up and waste disposal is becoming a key area.

"Real nappies are a reusable product, they stay out of the bin.

"As far as disposals go, they can take up 50 per cent of an average family's rubbish," added Mr Thomas.