The Nappy Collective, Australia’s only not-for-profit solely focused on collecting and redistributing nappies to families in crisis, is launching its annual Collective Campaign.
Right now in Australia, 1 in 10 families can’t afford the nappies they need for their babies. Without access to nappies, little ones may be left in their nappies for too long, causing distress, discomfort and infections. With the cost of living rising, this problem is set to get worse.
The Nappy Collective has an ambitious goal to provide 1 million nappies to children and families experiencing ‘nappy stress’ across Australia.
From today, 230 Collection Points around Australia will open to accept donations of new or leftover disposable nappies. Selected ANZ bank branches, Ripe Maternity clothing stores, as well as dozens of early childcare education centres, maternal health centres, and more will have Collection Points installed between July 18th-July 31st.
For the full list of collection points, visit https://www.thenappycollective.com/nappy-collection-points
The following donations are accepted:
- Newly purchased disposable nappies
- Leftover, opened packets of disposable nappies that are no longer needed — such as when a child outgrows their nappy size
- Disposable swim nappies
- Nappy pants
“A lack of access to clean nappies may be due to issues of financial hardship, homelessness or escaping domestic violence, or those impacted by natural disasters, such as the recent flooding we have seen in New South Wales and Queensland. Every child deserves a clean, healthy, and stable start to their day with a clean nappy,” says Sarah Witty, CEO of The Nappy Collective.
With COVID-19-related lockdowns reducing access to drop-off points and restricting the movement of volunteers, The Nappy Collective saw its nationwide volunteer numbers fall from approximately 700 to just 40 in the past year.
Ricki Cooke is the CEO of Treasure Boxes, a not-for-profit organisation based in Adelaide. It is one of The Nappy Collective’s many community partners — distributing the donated nappies to families in crisis across South Australia.
“We are reaching a crisis point with nappies,” says Cooke. “The demand for our service has increased significantly over the last 12 months, as well as the number of families experiencing poverty – partially due to the COVID ‘hangover.’ 73 per cent of our families are experiencing significant poverty, with a 92 per cent increase in mental health struggles and a 69 per cent increase in unemployment since 2021. The need for nappies has increased significantly as families with young children simply struggle to afford them.”