Britain has been making a big push, if you'll excuse the pun, of late, to clean up its ever increasing landfill problems. In one rather smelly area some inroads are being proposed that could have a significant impact in reducing the amount of waste produced. The investment sees the introduction of the nations first 'nappy' (diaper) recycling plant.

The Canadian company Knowaste, hopes to clean up big time, and plans to dump $40 million into a U.K. plant over the next five years to help reduce the estimated 750,000 tonne per year mountain of you- know-what. The company already successfully recycles diapers and other materials in the U.S.

The lucky location for the smelly facility is in England's Midlands. The plan is to recycle 30,000 tonnes of diapers, or about 4 percent of Britain's annual diaper waste and the facility plans to eventually recylce 13 percent of the nation's 'output'.

Local authorities have a big financial incentive to fall in line with European directives to reduce landfills by 2110. With annual cost increases, agreed by the Treasury, of $64 per tonne slated for each year it is going to save a poop-load of cash.

Initially the program will collect from commercial sites, hospitals and nurseries, but the goal is to eventually collect from the domestic market.

As with most change, not everyone is happy with the idea. Environmental groups such as the Women's Environmental Network and the Real Nappy Campaign are still kicking up a stink. They argue that recycling is not the preferred option, that the change needs to be made by the consumer at the supermarket by purchasing washable, reusable diapers. They contend that this can save parents up to a $1,000 per baby and more importantly divert a tonne of waste per child from landfills.

Despite the cries of despair it is better than nothing, I just hope, for the sake of immediate community that the prevailing winds of change are blowing in the other direction!