Eco-Friendly Diapers

Can disposable diapers be green?

Mainstream disposable diapers are bleached with chlorine, a process that creates dioxin, a suspected carcinogen, as a byproduct. However, several eco-friendly diapers aren't bleached with chlorine and are made with renewable resources, such as wood pulp, corn and wheat. Babies and moms with latex allergies will also appreciate some of these alternatives, because many are also latex-free. Note that eco-friendly disposables are still disposable diapers that will end up in a landfill. Although a couple of communities have experimented with composting special biodegradable diapers, none has been successful.

Eco-friendly diapers have become more affordable because there's more competition among brands. Seventh Generation Chlorine Free (*Est. 30 cents each) diapers and Earth's Best Tender Care (*Est. 28 cents each) earn positive reviews from parents, Seventh Generation diapers have an edge for being easier to find in stores. They don't have any colorful designs or cartoon characters, but they're made from chlorine-free wood pulp and nontoxic absorbent gel. A back gather helps prevent up-the-back blowouts that are common in infants.  More than 530 parents contribute to an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 on Amazon.com, where parents appreciate that Seventh Generation diapers are affordable and good for the environment. Most reviewers comment that they fit great and rarely leak, and several say they work well for babies with sensitive skin.

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). Earth's Best TenderCare diapers are also recognized by National Geographic's TheGreenGuide.com as being the best value among eco-friendly disposable diapers. More than 80 reviewers on Diapers.com contribute to an average rating of 4stars out of 5. Parents say the Earth's Best Tender Care diapers are soft, comfortable and absorbent, with few leaks (even overnight) and no skin irritation. The Huggies Pure and Natural diapers (*Est. 40 cents each) and Pampers Swaddlers Sensitive diapers (*Est. 30 cents each) also 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 these diapers 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. On the downside, they're more expensive than traditional diapers.

Although 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 these diapers with that of other disposable diapers. Athough eco-friendly diapers may not make a huge difference, they make the types of small changes that appeal to those looking to conserve and live green. In addition, these companies often support other environmental groups and causes, and your purchase may help in other ways.

Hybrid diapers

Hybrid diapers incorporate reusable outer shells with disposable inner liners. They're also more convenient for parents than cloth diapers; because the liners are discarded, the shells don't require such frequent laundering.

One brand, gDiaper hybrid diapers, include a reusable outer diaper shell (*Est. $20 for one shell), and flushable or compostable refillable liners (*Est. 40 cents each). More than 65 reviewers contribute to an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 on Amazon.com, with many parents praising the gDiaper liners for offering "the best of both worlds." However, there are some complaints about the cost. A few say they are just too complicated to use, or that the flushable liners actually clogged the toilet. Many fans seem to be parents who appreciate the opportunity to use a product that is a compromise between cloth and disposable diapers.

One recent professional review points out that the gDiaper liners may not be compatible with nontraditional plumbing, and care should be taken with septic systems. Editors at Cookie magazine, however, say the gDiaper is one of the best eco-friendly diapers, noting that few of its testers encountered plumbing problems when using this product.

Another hybrid diaper, the GroVia System, features a cloth outer diaper (*Est. $20 each) with disposable BioSoaker pads (*Est. 40 cents each), a biodegradable inner liner that can be composted, flushed (only the inner portion of the liner) or disposed of in the trash. Organic cotton soaker pads (*Est. $20 for two) are also available, giving parents the option of using both a disposable liner and a total cloth system in the same diaper. GroVia diapers are the top-rated diapers on DiaperPin.com, with an average rating of 4.24 out of 5 stars, based on nearly 135 reviews. However, there are some complaints about leaks and the fit of these diapers -- some parents say this one-size diaper won't accommodate a child's size through potty training, and some say the diapers are tight around the legs, leaving red marks. There are also a few mentions of durability issues with the shells, such as the elastic wearing out over time or the covers just falling apart, and with smells after a few soilings.

Biodegradable diapers

According to an article in The Boston Globe, "The Great Diaper Debate," a baby will use between 5,000 and 7,000 diapers in the first two years of life. WhatAWaste.info, a project of the Real Diaper Association (a nonprofit advocacy organization that promotes the use of cloth diapers) estimates that disposable diapers account for 2.3 percent of all municipal waste (by weight). Biodegradable diapers hit the market as a response to these concerns. Although there's been a lot of buzz about them, experts say these are not yet a solution.

Consumers may feel better about using eco-friendly diapers, thinking that they're not contributing as much to environmental waste. However, eco-friendly doesn't mean biodegradable. We only found one brand of diaper that says it's biodegradable: Nature Babycare compostable diapers (*Est. 40 cents each) require light and air to actually break down. Landfill waste gets neither light nor air, and 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 in California. For about $30 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, Earth-Baby.com, offers Nature Babycare compostable diapers and related products, and has a search feature that allows visitors to see whether 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.