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December 2010 Moms
Getting really frustrated at "eco friendly" disposables...
We have a low producing well and have to monitor our water usage and because of this cannot CD until probably 6mos when the consumption drops tremendously. Because of this I wanted to do an eco-friendly disposable, but after reading numerous reviews I am starting to get a bit discouraged. I had planned on using Tushies which are gel-free and supposedly biodegradable, but now I am reading that no disposable is 100% biodegradable. And a couple articles say that in the long run, economically, using eco friendly won't have that much impact except to your wallet. Just wondering if anyone has been coming across this issue or has any suggestions.
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Re: Getting really frustrated at "eco friendly" disposables...
I've run into the same information in my research. I've checked into eco friendly sposies because if I have a preemie, CDs that fit will be nearly impossible to find for the first two months or so.
Basically, even if a sposie has more biodegradable materials, there's still plastics invovled. It's still going into a landfill and they are still made with absorbant materials that don't totally break down.
And if you go the eco friendly route, you're not doing it because it's more afforadable. There's no such thing a a cheap eco friendly disposable diaper.
Have you looked into G Diapers?
https://www.gdiapers.com/
They say they really are 100% biodegradable.
I've read that they are really only biodegradable if you flush them or compost them. If you throw them in the trash then they won't completely biodegradge because since things are so compacted in a landfill they don't get the oxygen they need to really dissolve.
Are you able to have a company pick up and clean your cloth diapers? That would really help on your water, and time wise.
I haven't really looked into eco friendly diapers much, the only brand I know is Seventh Generation. I think its what we'll use at night for a while and when we're out with the baby.
That's true with a lot of 'biodegradable' stuff, like plastic bags that say they break down..not in landfills thought.
That's actually another option is to have a compost box just for diapers...if you have the room in your yard for it that might be an option? A smelly one, but an option
According to my DH, who's an environmental engineer and works on landfill design, because of how landfills are built nowadays, that's pretty much true of everything. Nothing biodegrades too much in a landfill -- that's just not how they're designed. So unless you're composting, the impact is probably the same, but you also have to take into account that a lot of "green" diapers use recycled materials and are unbleached, FWIW.
This, but it will cost you. From everything that I've read, washing your own cloth is cheapest, followed by disposables, then cloth diapering service. If money is not that big of a concern but being environmentally conscious is, you may want to look into this. It supposedly uses less water/energy than washing your own because of the equipment that they use (but I don't know if they considered the fuel used to pick-up/deliver diapers).
I think there is a bit more involved (at least for me there is) when looking at "eco" dipes than just the environment. For me, it's more about what I'm putting on my baby. Chlorine free is better for baby (and probably the environment during the mfg process). Fewer chemicals and fragrances are better for baby (and probably the environment). No gel is better for baby. Please don't ask me to quote any studies....I can't...it's just how I feel. I don't expect any disposable diapers to be 100% biodegradable, even if we did compost them.
That said....check out Nature Babycare on Amazon. They're a lot cheaper than Tushies, if you are looking for gel free.
I didn't think you could compost wet eco dipes. I'll have to look into that. I think that is too good to be true, although I know that the g diaper inserts are compostable.
I'm going to read this article now....
https://blog.bolandbol.com/product-reviews/green-diapers-review/
There is, cloth. ^^
Also, to the PP who said sposies are cheaper than a diaper service. According to Diaper Changes: The Complete Diapering Book And Resource Guide cloth diapering at home averages between 5 and 14 cents per change, a diaper service averages around 19 cents per change, and sposies around 24 cents per change.
We used nature babycare with DS at great success. I believe they are 100% biodegradable b/c you can compost the pee ones.
https://www.naty.com/uk/Home/tabid/61/Default.aspx
DH got laid off months ago so we are now using up and up brand by target. They are like half the price. I plan in using huggies naturals with this LO is a newborn b/c they are soooo soft (nature babycare is kinda scratchy)
Sorry all, I started this post and then had to run out for PT & yoga and didn't get home until late so I didn't get back on the computer.
Anyway, on the abvoe not sure aside from Amazon where you are pricing, but aside from Seventh Generation, Tushies are the cheapest by case "eco-friendly" diaper I have found & since I just looked this up, are actually cheaper on Amazon as well. I have read numerous reviews on Nature's Babycare and everyone says they are very scratchy and have problems with leaks. Seventh Generation are not gel free, so I really don't want to consider those except for nights because I have read with the gel free, you must change every 2-3 hours. Bamboo something or other have gotten the best reviews but they are a ridiculous $72 a case & I cannot see myself spending that on diapers.
I want to CD in all honesty because of its benefits for both the baby and the environment,but it just won't work for us until diaper consumption drops dramatically. And honestly, when you factor in water and detergent usage and disposal when using them, the impact is pretty relative. However, it is easier to purify water than landfills, and there are slightly more eco-friendly laundry options out there.
Using a service is pretty expensive as well and doesn't seem to be the more eco-friendly choice, because I am not aware of their laundering methods, & water usage and disposal seems to be much greater.
The whole scenario is just a total conundrum.
Honestly though, when I compare prices on diapers.com which have the best prices I can find for any diaper, in general the eco options are not that much more per diaper than the other brands, so that is at least a plus.
It's weird that you'd say that....as of now, on Amazon:
Tushies Size T 80ct was $43.63 = .55/diaper
Nature Babycare size 5 92ct was $30.79 = .33/diaper with subscribe & save and .48 $43.99 = $0.48/diaper without (don't know why you'd ever NOT do subscribe & save)
Same differences exist on diapers.com and drugstore.com. Where are you finding them cheaper? Thanks!