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Since the birth of our second boy in June, I have had quite a bit of diapering experience, with all kinds of “green” diapers. I did some research and ordered 6 different kinds of diapers to try out before I committed to one, making it a must do for my next article. First, here’s why the green guru poopoos using disposables. There are numerous health risks and environmental effects parents should know about.

•    Disposable diapers contain traces of dioxin, an extremely toxic by-product of the paper bleaching process. It is a carcinogenic chemical, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals, and it’s banned in most countries, but not ours.

•    They also contain TBT, a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals.

•    And they contain sodium polyacrylate, a type of super absorbent polymer, which becomes a gel-like substance when wet, studies have shown that with prolonged use of disposables baby boys scrotal temperature is increased and this effects the physiological testicular cooling mechanism important for normal spermatogenesis.

•    There are an estimated 27.4 billion disposable diapers consumed every year in the U.S. This makes roughly 3.4 million tons of waste in landfills per year.

•    Disposable diapers generate sixty times more solid waste than cloth diapers and use twenty times more raw materials, like crude oil and wood pulp.

•    The resource that the disposable diaper industry was arguing they saved was water, but in fact the manufacturing and use of disposable diapers requires 2.3 times more water than cloth diapers do even with all the extra laundry you do.

•    New biodegradable brands such as Seventh Generation, offer only slightly better options, they aren’t bleached in chlorine, a process used by the leading disposable-diaper companies that emits toxins into the air and water. But contrary to popular belief, no diaper — not even biodegradable ones — can break down in an airtight landfill.
Here are the options I encountered looking for the perfect diaper system:

•    The old-fashioned cloth diaper with a cover that your grand mother and mother both used. I bought cloth diapers made from organic unbleached cotton to use for burp cloths, and diapers, we use these for all kinds of things and they are invaluable. With a cover that is a good fit they are an inexpensive and easy solution to diapering without pins.

•    Cloth diapers with adjustable closures like KissALuvs and Under The Nile that can be used with or without a cover. The KissALuvs are my favorite without a cover for when I’m home with the baby and can change him often. They are soft and natural cotton, easy to fasten and a really good fit. For covers that will work with these diapers go to www.cottonbabies.com.  

•    All in Ones, cloth diaper in side with a leak-proof cover built in like BumGenius whose one size fits all or Imse Vimse that is made in Sweden with organic cotton. These are good options for an all night diaper because they are so thick, but a little pricey for your only diaper solution. I use them at night and for nap time. My only complaint was that they seem a little harder to get clean and used a not so natural material next to my baby’s skin that works well to keep them drier at night and prevent diaper rash. My favorite is the Imse Vimse all in one made with organic cotton.

•    The g-diaper is a perfect solution for those who really like the convenience of disposables but want to do something better for the earth. Available at www.gdiaper.com, these diapers are a fantastic and easy alternative to disposables. The inserts are completely flushable so nothing goes into a landfill and the cloth covers are easy to clean and make for great diaper covers for other cloth diapers as well.

Quote of the Month: “But now, says the Once-ler, Now that you´re here, the word of the Lorax seems perfectly clear. UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot,
nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” -Dr Seuss