Green Options » disposable diapers

Baby Power! U.K. Companies Convert Diapers to Energy

Tina Casey — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:50:11 +0000

In a move that fairly reeks with symbolism, The U.K. companies Versus Energy and Knowaste have teamed up to build the first diaper recycling plant in England, and it will be located in a region that was once the heart of the Industrial Revolution. The new recycling plant will power itself with sustainable energy generated from the organic materials recovered from disposable diapers.

Organic waste accounts for only 2% of the materials in “pre-owned” disposable diapers. What happens to the other 98%? It will be dried, sterilized, and separated into reusable paper pulp and plastic. The end use of those materials has not yet been announced but based on Knowaste’s past experience, roof tiles, shoe insoles, wallpaper, plastic “wood,” and industrial thickeners are likely candidates.

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The Great Diaper Debate: Comparing the Environmental Impact of “Eco-Friendly” Diapers

Allison Wolff — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 23:13:48 +0000

I knew going into having a baby that the mountains of diapers would horrify me from both a personal hygiene and environmental perspective. I also knew that I wasn’t game for potty-training-at-birth philosophies. Sure enough, if I calculate how many diapers I’ve changed for my now 15 month old, I’m horrified.

Two months before I gave birth to my baby girl I did some research on which diapers would have the least amount of environmental impact. Traditional, “non-eco” disposables were never even an option…I was interested only in comparing “eco” choices.

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Carbon Babies: The Octuplets and 8 Nappy Bottoms

Cate Nelson — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 00:50:30 +0000

Everyone loves news on the octuplets. Who wouldn’t want a quick fix on the mama who has 14 children under the age of 8?

But when you think of their waste, isn’t anyone ready to say “Eight is enough”? How about one of those other snappy lines from the Simpsons fertility episode… Might we say they’ll have a “Love/Eight” relationship, at least with the environment?

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Being Green in a Tight Economy: Part III

Jamie Ervin — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:00:21 +0000

Often times the easiest way to lessen the impact on our Earth and our wallets is simply to use LESS. The third part to our series on being green when budgets are tight.

Use the correct amount of product. For laundry soap, this is usually 2 ounces or about HALF the cap. Many of us naturally fill the cap, isn’t that what it’s for? Shampoo and conditioner usually require only a teaspoon or two. Better yet, if you can, switch to a shampoo bar. Store your soap out of the water spray, otherwise it will be shrinking while not in use. Ration your children’s shampoo and body wash supply by giving them small portions (use a shot glass size container) of products at bath time.

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Shocking, Buried UK Government Report: Disposable Diapers are Better for the Environment Than Cloth Nappies

Jennifer Lance — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:54:24 +0000

It is a commonly held belief amongst green parents that cloth diapers, or nappies as they are called across the pond, are better for the environment than disposable ones. We’ve written about the benefits of cloth diapers multiple times, and I have even shared my eco-guilt over using Seventh Generation disposables. A new UK government report finds exactly the opposite: disposable diapers are better for the environment.

This finding is shocking! Government ministers couldn’t believe it either and actually buried the report, because they were embarrassed by the findings. According to the Times Online:

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has instructed civil servants not to publicise the conclusions of the £50,000 nappy research project and to adopt a “defensive” stance towards its conclusions.

The report found that using washable nappies, hailed by councils throughout Britain as a key way of saving the planet, have a higher carbon footprint than their disposable equivalents unless parents adopt an extreme approach to laundering them.

To reduce the impact of cloth nappies on climate change parents would have to hang wet nappies out to dry all year round, keep them for years for use on younger children, and make sure the water in their washing machines does not exceed 60C.

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Reusable Swim Diapers Make Pool and Beach Time Greener

Kristen Chase — Fri, 04 Jul 2008 15:33:01 +0000

The advances in cloth diapering over the last few years, not only in availability of handy diaper services, but also the quality and simple use of the diapers themselves, have converted many a disposable diaper user to “greener” ways. But while many cloth diaper enthusiasts and flushable diaper users have strong opinions about which cloth diapers work the best, I’ve yet to see commentary on reusable swim diapers.

If you’re already a cloth diaper user, than the concept of using a resuable swim diaper is probably not a far stretch. But if you use disposables or ’sposies, then you might be glad to know that reusable swim diapers are a fantastic budget conscious choice, particularly since disposable swim diapers are super expensive.

Truth be told, disposable swim diapers are more for easing our minds and less about containing bodily fluids and bowel movements. Basically, they just don’t contain all the chemicals that regular disposables do, therefore keeping them trim and less saggy when they hit water. But, they certainly don’t hold urine well. And, while they might hold a bowel movement for a good five minutes, you do not want your kid swimming around with a swim diaper full of poop.

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