Council faces backlash after new nappy collection scheme imposes age limit of 3

The new scheme in Anglesey will require parents to show a birth certificate to prove their child is eligible

The plans are being introduced by the Isle of Anglesey Council in October when its general waste collection service switches from being provided every fortnight to every three weeks (Getty)

Parents have condemned council plans not to offer a nappy collection service to children older than three.

A council in Anglesey, North Wales will require parents to show a birth certificate to prove their child is eligible for the new scheme.

The plans are being introduced by the Isle of Anglesey Council in October when its general waste collection service switches from being provided every fortnight to every three weeks in an effort to cut household waste and meet recycling targets.

The new service will be provided fortnightly so parents can dispose of nappies more quickly.

The scheme will be available on request from family health care providers, where parents must obtain an application form and submit it to the council with a copy of their child's birth certificate.

The local authority said it had gathered evidence that suggested most children are potty trained between the ages of two and three.

It cited sources, including the NHS, which says 90 per cent of children are dry most days by the age of three.

Those who cannot prove their child is under three will be forced to put nappies in the household waste collected every three weeks.

The plans have faced backlash from parents who said the scheme was "disgraceful" and did not provide enough support for older children with disabilities.

Steph Roberts from Gwalchmai, told the Daily Post North Wales: “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.”

Ian Cheney, whose daughter Olivia suffers from Down’s Syndrome, told the Guardian: "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.

“I automatically assumed that Livy would be eligible for the council service because of her disability."

A council spokesperson said the would be a separate service for older disabled children or individuals with medical needs.

They added that requesting a copy of a child's birth certificate would allow the council to monitor the number of children benefiting from the service and their respective ages.

The spokesman said: "We will be supplying a new stand-alone nappy collection service to supplement changes to be made to our general waste (black bin) collection.

"From October, black bins will be collected every three weeks.

"As a result, we'll be providing an extra new nappy collection service to ensure that families with young children do not have to wait more than two weeks to dispose of nappies.

"Evidence collated by our waste management team suggests that most children are potty-trained between the ages of two and three. It has, therefore, been agreed to offer this new nappy collection 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.

"Another service is available for individuals who are unwell or have medical needs called the offensive non-infectious household waste collection.

"This service is available upon request from the relevant healthcare provider, via a prescribed application form."

Additional reporting by Press Association