A local authority in north Wales has told parents they must show their children’s birth certificates if they want binmen to collect dirty nappies.
Waste management teams at Anglesey council have introduced the rules in an effort to cut waste, meet recycling targets and avoid fines from the Welsh government.
They are asking parents to prove their child is three or under if they want nappies to be taken away, and say they have “evidence that most children are potty trained between ages of two and three”.
But some families say the rules do not take account of different rates of child development or that some disabled children may need nappies beyond a certain age.
Anglesey council has a service where parents can set up fortnightly nappy collections. Those who cannot prove their child is under three will be asked to put nappies with their household waste, which is collected every three weeks.
Ian Cheney, whose five-year-old daughter Olivia has Down’s syndrome, said the new rules were “ludicrous” and accused the local authority of discrimination.
Cheney, who lives in Amlwch with his wife Heather said: “They are using a blanket rule for all families which is just so frustrating.
“There are so many families with disabled children who need this service so that are homes aren’t full of nappies and then also the fact that they are assuming that all children will be out of nappies by the age of three. The rules are not realistic.
Cheney, a former careworker, added: “I automatically assumed that Livy would be eligible for the council service because of her disability.
“She has some health issues related to her Down’s syndrome, including holes in her heart and some difficulty walking. At the moment, with fortnightly collections, it’s a struggle but we usually make it. But we have no hope of being able to cope for three weeks.
“The council obviously knows it is hard for families to cope with three-weekly collections, which is why they’ve brought in this fortnightly nappy service.
“But Livy is obviously bigger than a toddler so her nappies are also taking up more space. I’d have thought that disabled children who still need to wear nappies would be automatically eligible.”
Steph Roberts, from the village of Gwalchmai on Anglesey, said: “I think it’s disgraceful that they’ve placed an age limit on the service.
“I have a three year old who’s currently being potty trained and I know I’m not the only one in the same situation.”
A council spokesman said they had evidence to suggest that most children are potty trained between the ages of two and three, so wants to make people prove their child’s age if they want to receive the service.
He added: “It has therefore been agreed to offer this service up until a child’s third birthday.
“Requesting a copy of a child’s birth certificate will allow us to monitor the number of children benefiting from the service and their respective ages.
“It should be noted that this service will only be provided to the home address of the child and does not extend to any nursery, creche or child minding service they may attend.”
The council has organised drop-in sessions to explain the changes at a local leisure centre and at a library.
