Waste Prevention Information Exchange: Health Care Waste

Diapers

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There are three types of diapers: reusable, biodegradable or otherwise recyclable, and disposable. This page provides references to reusable and  biodegradable or otherwise recyclable diapers.

Reusable items, in general, are environmentally preferable to nonreusable items. This applies to diapers.  Although biodegradable or recyclable diapers may have some environmental appeal, reusable diapers result in less environmental impact, and they are generally cheaper in the long run.

Is it environmentally preferable to purchase biodegradable diapers if the diapers end up in a landfill after they are used? A landfill is not a composting facility. Nothing degrades well in a landfill. With regards to disposal, there would be little if any measurable environmental advantage to placing a biodegradable diaper in your trash over placing a nonbiodegradable diaper in your trash.  With regards to diapers that will eventually be landfilled, any significant environmental advantage there may be would lie in the types and amounts of  resources, water, and energy used to manufacture the diapers. Recycled content would be preferred—postconsumer recycled content would be better.

One of the distributors below promotes vermicomposting its diapers. Vermicomposting is the process of using earthworms to compost or convert waste into beneficial soil enhancers. Vermicomposting has proven to be a viable option for recycling food scraps in both commercial and residential settings. CIWMB has no knowledge of  commercial vermicomposting of diapers being attempted in California. However, this might be a viable option for health care facilities that generate a large number of diapers. CIWMB would be happy to explore the feasibility of this approach with interested institutions or corporations.

The online literature of the distributor that promotes vermicomposting its diapers appears to only address commercial vermicomposting, not in-home vermicomposting. For reasons of health and sanitation, CIWMB does not recommend vermicomposting diapers at home, and suggests extreme caution if you attempt to do so.

The following is intended to provided you with information to help you make your choices.  You may also wish to review the federal Guidelines for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims.

Resources

Documents

• City of Santa Clarita Diaper Recycling
  • As the Program Started:
    • California City Begins Diaper Recycling Program—City of Santa Clarita and Knowaste LLC announce the launch of the nation's first diaper recycling program. From Recycling Today, 11-11-02.  This program has since ended.

• Product Report, Diapers—This report from The Green Guide looks at problems and solutions from and environmental perspective.

Web Sites

• Biodegradable Diapers
  • Manufacturers
    • Biogroup USA, Inc.—Manufactures a biodegradable and compostable film that can be used to make disposable diapers and other types of products and packaging. 
      107 Regents PI.
      Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32802
      Phone, (904) 280-5094
      Fax, (904) 543-8113
  • Distributors
    • Ecobaby—The distributor of this diaper promotes vermicomposting their diapers after use.
• Reusable Diapers—Some reusable diapers use single-use disposable components.
  • Make Your Own Diapers:
    • Diaper Pin—Contains sources for materials and and other useful information, including links and a diaper directory.
    • One Stop Diaper Shop—Fabrics and other materials for making diapers.
    • Sew Your Own Diapers—Materials for making diapers.
  • Promoters:
    • Real Diaper Association—Working to put more U.S. babies in cloth diapers, and to create a cultural shift in understanding cloth diapers-their environmental impact, their ease of use, their accessibility, and their acceptability.
    • Real Nappy Association—See what some in the United Kingdom are doing with this subject.
  • Vendors:
    • Alternative Baby—Cloth diapers and supplies.
      (800) 469-1126
      E-mail: jennifer@alternativebaby.com
    • Diaper Safari—Cloth diapers and accessories.
      P.O. Box 21502
      Boulder, CO 80308-0502
      Phone: (877) 737-1313
      Fax: (303) 527-3801
      E-mail: contactus@diapersafari.com
    • EcoBunz Children's Cloth Diapering Company—Hemp fleece diapers manufactured in the United States.
      2155 Kalmia Circle
      Boulder, CO 80304
      (303) 618-5680
    • Enviro-Baby—A cotton diaper delivery service in the Santa Barbara County area.
      321 El Monte Drive
      Santa Barbara, CA 93109 
      Phone: (805) 966-7268 
      E-mail: customerservice@enviro-baby.com
    • Hankettes—Organic cotton diapers, diaper liners, and wool diaper covers.
      1734 Pell Road
      Roberts Creek, BC
      V0N 2W1 Canada
      Phone: (800) 917-1377
      E-mail: info@hankettes.com
    • Jardine Diapers—Cloth diapers and accessories.
      PO Box 1262
      Nipomo, CA 93444
      Phone: (888)-873-2313
      Fax: (805) 929-3411
      E-mail: info@jardinediapers.com
    • Life Styles Emporium—A health and wellness resource center specializing in cloth and disposable adult and baby diapers.
      1234 Brommer Street
      Santa Cruz, CA 95062
      Phone: (831) 476-1234
      Fax: (831) 477-1554
    • Soft Cloth Bunz—A mom-owned, home-based business that carries cloth diapers, diaper covers, and diapering accessories.
      5505 Merner Lane
      Virginia Beach, VA 23455
      Phone: (757) 460-2302
      E-mail: bryana@softclothbunz.com

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Last updated: November 01, 2007