Four members of a textiles class presented 40 hand-made reusable nappies to the residents of Karinya House, a service for mothers in crisis.

Karinya carer Jackie Gallagher said the service provided accommodation and outreach for mothers confronting the problems of homelessness, abuse, drug and alcohol issues, mental illness and a host of other problems.

''Last financial year we cared for 55 women and their babies, and assisted 322 women with our outreach programs, a 14 per cent increase on the year before,'' she said.

Ms Gallagher estimates that eight to 10 disposable nappies are used at the service per baby, a day, at a cost to mothers of about $55 a week.

Reuseable nappies cost as little as $5 to $10 to make at home and about $25 pre-made, which could relieve financial pressure for mothers in all situations.

The school was named a ''Sustainable Living Champion'' by a University of NSW competition for making the reusable, adjustable nappies with polar fleece, nylon and bamboo-based fabric as the absorbent material. The teacher responsible for the nappy program, Ketley Merle, said that the products also had environmental benefits, especially when washed with environmentally sound techniques.

''It's still very much in its infancy, the concept of the modern cloth nappy: it will let people make an informed decision.''

Expectant mother Nicole Weaver, 31, said she would give them a try when her boy got bigger.

''He's going to be a bit small when he comes out.''

A British Government study issued last month found that the manufacture of disposable nappies did more harm to the environment than their disposal.

The British study also found that the environmental impacts of using reusable nappies can be higher or lower than using disposables, depending on how they are washed.

Cloth nappy users can reduce their environmental impact by:

Line-drying outside whenever possible.

Tumble-drying as little as possible.

Using energy-efficient appliances

Not washing above 60 degrees.

Washing fuller loads.

Reusing nappies on other children.

For more information on reusable nappies, visit www.brindabellababy.com.au andwww.thenappynetwork.org.nz