Eco-Friendly Diapers

Can disposable diapers be green?

Mainstream disposable diapers are bleached with chlorine; the chlorine bleaching process creates dioxin as a byproduct, a pollutant that has been linked to cancer. Several eco-friendly diapers aren't bleached with chlorine. Babies and moms with latex allergies will also appreciate some of these alternatives, since many are latex-free.

Eco-friendly diapers have become more affordable since there's more competition among brands. While Seventh Generation chlorine-free diapers (*Est. 20 cents per diaper) rate well with parent reviewers, parent testers for Parenting.com said they would definitely switch from their current brand to Earth's Best TenderCare disposable diapers (*Est. 28 cents each). Moms noted some leaking with Seventh Generation diapers. Earth's Best TenderCare diapers were also recognized by TheGreenGuide.com as being the best value among eco-friendly disposable diapers.

Both the Huggies Pure and Natural diapers (*Est. 35 cents each) and Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive diapers (*Est. 35 cents each) receive positive reviews from parents on consumer opinion sites. The Huggies Pure and Natural brand is hypoallergenic, made with natural ingredients, including aloe, vitamin E and organic cotton. Huggies Pure and Natural diapers are also fragrance-free. A few parent reviews on Amazon.com rate this product highly, noting that they're very absorbent, soft to the touch and don't tend to leak. One reviewer specifically states that the softness of Huggies Pure and Natural is much gentler on the skin compared to other eco-friendly disposables, such as Seventh Generation.

While we saw great parent-written reviews for eco-diapers and several reviews comparing the various types of eco-friendly diapers, we did not find any studies comparing the effectiveness of eco-friendly diapers with that of other disposable diapers. While eco-friendly diapers may not make a huge difference, they make the types of small changes that appeal to those looking to make a gesture towards conservation and green living. In addition, these companies often support other environmental groups and causes, so your purchase may help in other ways.

Hybrid diapers

A new hybrid cloth and disposable diaper has also been introduced -- the gDiaper. These are diapers that include a reusable outer diaper shell (*Est. $27 for the starter kit), and flushable or compostable refillable liners (*Est. 33 cents each). There aren't many reviews yet, but the available parent reviews are mostly positive. Some parents rave that these diapers feature the convenience of disposables, while not contributing as much landfill waste. A few complain they are just too complicated to use, or that the flushable liners actually clogged the toilet. Many fans seem to be undecided parents who appreciate the opportunity to use a product that is a compromise between cloth and disposable diapers.

An article available on ConsumerReports.org notes that the gDiaper liners may not be compatible with non-traditional plumbing, and care should be taken with septic systems. A review by Cookie magazine, however, chooses the gDiaper as one of the best eco-friendly diapers, and states that few of its testers encountered plumbing problems when using this product.

Biodegradable diapers

According to an article in The Boston Globe, "The Great Diaper Debate," a baby's diaper will be changed between 5,000 and 7,000 times in the first two years of life. This article references a study by Michigan State University that found that disposable diapers account for between 0.5 and 1.8 percent of all landfill waste nationwide. Biodegradable diapers hit the market as a response. While there's been a lot of buzz about them, experts say these are not yet a solution.

The problem is that diapers that are technically biodegradable, such as Nature Babycare compostable diapers (*Est. 40 cents each), require both light and air to actually break down. Landfill waste gets neither light nor air, so biodegradable diapers offer no advantage over regular disposable diapers in a landfill, according to the California Integrated Waste Management Board. Most recycling centers don't include composting options at this point, and until composting becomes more readily available, biodegradable diapers are likely to end up in landfills and continue to take up the same space as traditional disposable diapers.

Earth Baby is a compostable diaper service that currently serves several areas in California. For $24.99 per month plus the cost of diapers, Earth Baby offers a pick-up and delivery service for compostable diapers and wipes, ensuring that biodegradable diapers are composted and not disposed of in landfills. The website, EarthBaby.com, offers Nature Babycare compostable diapers and related products, and has a search feature that allows visitors to see if service is available in their area. If services like Earth Baby become increasingly common, it's possible that biodegradable diapers will become a realistic option for reducing landfill waste from disposable diapers.