Diapers - disposable or washable? - EKO Diena

Diapers - disposable or washable?

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

We have done the whole conversation about women's sanitary products, and how bad it to be throwing all of the pads into landfills, but the amount of disposable baby diapers that get thrown away each year.

I just read an article with some statistics that were quite amazing to me. They are only for the United States, so image them scaled up for the rest of the world.

Approximately 90-95% of American babies use 27.4 billion single-use, plastic diapers every year. This generates 7.6 billion pounds of garbage each year.

Disposable diapers are the 3rd largest consumer item in landfills, and represent 30% of non-biodegradable waste.

I don't know how many people on here have kids, but I'm curious how you all feel about the alternatives to disposable diapers?

I am Ashlynn

Julie Brooks-Girskiene Disposable diapers are the 3rd largest consumer item in landfills, and represent 30% of non-biodegradable waste.

That's amazing, I never imagined it would be such a huge number. What are the top two items?

Treebeard

I do not have kids but if I did I imagine to use the washable kind at home or in most places but to keep some disposable ones to take going out somewhere all day instead of carrying round the bag of them covered in poo

John

We should be trying to avoid using much "disposable" anything that ends up in landfill, especially when there are easy, accessible, and significantly cheaper alternatives available.

I get @Treebeard point though, you don't always want to be carrying poopy stuff around with you, and that's a reasonable time to use them, if it is the exception and not the rule.

Treebeard

John I get @Treebeard point though, you don't always want to be carrying poopy stuff around with you, and that's a reasonable time to use them, if it is the exception and not the rule.

I am up for radical change in big projects and also in how we do the everyday things, but people do not follow things if they feel that it makes life harder or they lose something. Nobody wants to carry baby poo round with them more than they need, use reuseable at home and if there is no better solution then use the disposable when you have to, but if we can make them biodegradable then much better.

Skylar

I am Ashlynn What are the top two items?

I think the highest item is food waste.

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

Skylar I think the highest item is food waste.

Yes it is.

People might think that this isn't really a problem because it will just break down and compost, but that doesn't happen in landfills because there is no light or oxygen available for the process.

Piri

In some cities there is a service which collects reusable diapers, gives you clean ones. It is quite handy. I don't see as a problem to use reusable, there are so many types you can choose from. There is biodegradable option as well so if they won't end up in the landfields it is not such a bad idea. And in some cases like durig the night or travel to use disposable.

As well studies shows that cotton diapers are healthier. As now we have all great washing machines and dryers I don't see a problem of using the washable.

Skylar

Julie Brooks-Girskiene People might think that this isn't really a problem because it will just break down and compost, but that doesn't happen in landfills because there is no light or oxygen available for the process.

Yes, I did not realise that until my neighbour tried to make compost and just smashed more and more stuff into the box. It didn't break down to compost it just kind of rotted but stayed together and smelt BAD.

Vilte

It's again going back to the fact that we used to be much more sustainable before we started inventing lots of things to make everything "easier" and "faster".

There is nothing wrong with using and washing fabric diapers but we made an alternative so save the effort of washing them, we just need to get back to the old ways in a lot of these things, instead of looking for complicated new solutions.

Ash

Definitely a huge waste but I can see why people tend to stick with disposable ones and avoid washable nappies/diapers. Add to that, the fact that many people don't have much time, worrying about having to wash them is just too much effort for some.

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

Ash It's easier for sure, but these days if you live in a big city you can just get a diaper service. You just throw the dirty fabric ones into a special bin that doesn't let out the smell, and then once a week, or however often you need I guess, they come and pick it up and replace it with fresh clean ones.

Arvīds

Julie Brooks-Girskiene if you live in a big city you can just get a diaper service.

This seems like it is a very good solution for people who do not want to face all of the poop and smell themself.

Ash

Did not realise that a service such as that existed. Just had a quick look and the UK has it as well. For around £15 a week, you can get them collected, cleaned, and delivered again.

Piri

Ash £15 a week, you can get them collected, cleaned, and delivered again.

it is a really good price and let's be honest a great service, poopy things are not so exciting to deal with. It they clean and use sustainable evo friendly methods it is very good.

Ash

I'm not entirely sure what the costs of disposable ones are but I would presume the difference isn't that big. It can't be cheap to keep purchasing disposable ones, especially the branded ones.

Julie Brooks-Girskiene

Ash Disposable ones work out to be really expensive if you buy the big brand names. I think it is either the same or cheaper to use a diaper service, or much much cheaper to use washable ones if you are happy to wash them yourself.

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