1 of 4

Write now Article Tools

As a mother who is concerned about the environment, I welcomed the invention of environmentally friendly disposable diapers. Before, there were two choices: cloth or disposable diapers. Now, there are four choices: cloth, conventional disposables, environmentally friendly disposables, and flushables.

I have used conventional disposables, flushables, and environmentally friendly disposables, and I can attest to the fact that flushables and environmentally friendly disposables work as well as conventional disposable diapers.

Why eco-friendly diapers?
In addition to filling our landfills, the manufacture of disposable diapers causes pollution due to the ingredients involved: they usually contain plastic, chlorine and other toxic chemicals. If there is no local plant, then pollution from shipping (planes, trains, and automobiles) occurs. The packaging these diapers come in is also usually a non-recyclable landfill-filler.

So why are they the most popular choice? Convenience, of course. But by using more environmentally friendly disposables, parents can balance time-saving convenience with their eco-friendly consciences.

Environmentally Friendly Disposables
Eco-friendly diapers work just like conventional disposables: you buy them at the store, you baby uses them, and then you throw them in the trash. So what's the difference?
Manufacturers (such as Tushies and Seventh Generation) make disposables from recycled paper and plastic. Many of these are chlorine-free and gel-free, in addition to being latex-, perfume-, and dye-free. Using recycled products is better for the environment. Using chlorine-free products is also better for the environment. So even though they use the same amount of water and energy to produce, and the same amount of fossil fuel to ship, they are still better for the environment.

Flushables
G Diapers (U.S) and Eenees make flushable diapers. I remember ordering Eenees from Australia before G Diapers were around. They consist of a reuseble outer pant and a flushable liner. Soiled diapers must be flushed or trashed, but wet-only diapers can actually be composted in your yard (human urine is quickly sterile.) Unlike conventional and environmentally friendly disposables disposables, flushables do not end up in the landfill! Not only are disposables filling up our landfills at an alarming rate, but human solid waste is pretty toxic stuff (hosting all sorts of nasty pathogens) and should be properly treated before ending up in our groundwater. With flushable diapers, these wastes are treated at the municipal sewage plant.

Also, flushable diapers are part of a "closed system": they are made from wood pulp, then are flushed, then become sewage, which is used to fertilize the trees that provide the wood pulp for the diapers. A "closed system" like this is the ultimate environmentally friendly option. Of course, there are still the environmental costs associated with shipping, but once again, these are much less than the ones associated with using conventional disposables.

The Verdict
Both environmentally friendly disposables and flushables are more friendly to the environment than conventional disposables. They work just as well.

Therefore, if you want to be more eco-friendly, use these instead of conventional disposables. Of course, the most eco-friendly option is still using organic cloth diapers and laundering them yourself with a phosphate- and chlorine-free detergent , but we all do the best that we can. Even baby steps are important.

Learn more about this author, Vicky Harper.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Assessing the claims about environmentally friendly disposable diapers?
We want to hear your view. Write now!