In the first two years of a baby's life, parents will change between 5,000 and 7,000 diapers, according to Environment Canada. That makes a pretty strong argument for trying to make an environmentally conscious decision on what type of diapers to use. But making the greener choice may not be as obvious as it first seems. When trying to choose a diapering option that will please both your baby and Mother Nature there are many points -- beyond garbage disposal -- to consider. Here are some facts to help you make an informed decision. (Then let us know your preference by discussing the topic in our forums.)
Cloth (at home)
At first glance, cloth diapers seem to be the natural environmentally friendly choice. They produce a great deal less solid waste that will be stored in landfills and their manufacturing and production costs are considerably lower than disposables; however, they don't come without environmental concerns.
Cloth diapers contribute to water and air pollution due to the amount of water, energy and detergent used when machine-washing and drying. (For energy-consumption comparisons, click here.) According to Environment Canada, washing a load or two of diapers each week is like flushing the toilet five times a day for one week. Most detergents contain harmful phosphates and nitrates, and the use of washers and dryers results in greenhouse gases.
Cloth diapers can be a greener option if parents reduce energy consumption by washing in cold water and line-drying diapers instead of using the dryer.
Chat about parenting with other readers in our online forums!
Page 1 of 2
Comment reported
Thank you for reporting this comment as inappropriate.
Back to Comments »