Sustainable Diapering
for the modern parent
|by Calley Pate
The average baby goes through 12 or more diapers every day of their life from birth through
potty training (around 2-4 years of age). In
America, most of those diapers are in the form
of disposable diapers that are thrown out with
the weekly garbage destined to sit in a landfill
for an estimated 500 or more years. In addition
to their environmental impact, disposable diapers contain potentially toxic chemicals. These
toxic chemicals are placed next to your baby’s
delicate skin for almost 24 hours a day. There are
healthier and more sustainable options to consider; many of which can save you thousands of
dollars.
Eco Friendly Disposable Diapers
Eco-friendly disposables are slightly more sustainable than regular disposable diapers but they
are still disposable. Depending on the brand,
they can be free of chlorine processing (bleaching), fragrance free, or latex free but they still
contain some synthetic materials. These diapers
may be healthier for your baby but they will still
sit in landfills for hundreds of years before they
degrade (if ever). Beware of brands that say they
are biodegradable or compostable because these
processes only happen under specific conditions
that won’t happen in a landfill.
Modern Cloth Diapers
Cloth diapers have come a long way since prefolds, pins and plastic pants. While prefolds and
covers are still a very popular and economical option for parents today, the modern cloth
diaper options are much more appealing. The
modern cloth diapers are just as easy to use as a
disposable diaper--but with Velcro or snap closures. Modern cloth diapers come in many different varieties, are available at any price range,
and have a color selection larger than a rainbow.
Some styles and fabrics are more sustainable
than others, but they are all reusable for many
years.
While many cloth diapers today are made with
synthetic fibers, plastic snaps and polyurethane
laminate (PUL for waterproofing fabric), diapers
made from natural fibers are much more sustainable. Prefold and flat diapers are commonly
made with organic cotton, hemp and bamboo
blends. Wool can be used over prefolds and flats
as a waterproof diaper cover and come in very
fashionable styles like longies, shorties and covers.
Many parents consider cloth diapers for economic reasons and find ways to diaper their
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