A weighty nappy problem is being tackled by the Clutha District Council.
In 2011, about 610 tonnes of nappy/sanitary waste was dumped in Clutha landfills, prompting the council last month to join a reusable nappy initiative.
In its annual plan adopted last month, council decided to budget $6310 towards two cloth nappy workshops in the district per year.
The council received four submissions from Clutha residents and one from Clutha Health First supporting the creation of a reusable nappy education scheme.
A report to the council said the introduction of a cloth nappy programme would contribute to one of the council's community targets - a sustainable environment that promotes a clean green image.
About 5% of waste dumped at the Mt Cooee landfill near Balclutha was nappy/sanitary waste - higher than the national average of 3%.
The council has been charged with identifying the need to run public awareness campaigns to encourage waste minimisation and responsible waste management. The council receives about $60,000 a year from the Ministry for the Environment's waste levy.
The programme is expected to cost $6310 and will be funded from this budget.
The council will buy 100 cloth nappy packs and hold two workshops with Tauranga-based business ''The Nappy Lady''. Workshops cost each family $20 to attend.
The Queenstown Lakes District Council is already running a reusable nappy initiative and budgeted $10,500 to provide starter packs of reusable nappies to expectant and new mothers ''as a means to divert waste from landfill''.
