By Blythe Copeland
Great Neck, NY, USA | Tue Jun 02 12:30:00 GMT 2009
Even the most enthusiastic new parents wouldn't say that diaper duty is exactly enjoyable—especially when the 18 billion diapers that get trashed annually make up 5 percent of our landfill waste. But if you've failed at diaper-free potty whispering and resisted switching to biodegradable, eco-friendly, or cloth diapers because of concerns about convenience, price**, leaks, or hygiene, check out these green alternatives to traditional disposables that will keep your baby comfortable and your diaper changes stress-free.
**Cost as compared to Pampers Baby Dry, size 5, 27+ lbs, 30 pack, $13 at Drugstore.com =$.43/diaper
Why We Like It: gDiapers' Little G Pants are brightly-colored, machine-washable Cradle-to Cradle certified cloth bottoms made of 92 percent cotton and 8 percent spandex, using flushable, absorbent wood pulp and polyacrylate inserts. The inserts boast the muscle to trap 100 times their weight in liquid, keeping baby dry and comfortable.
Eco-Factor: Because the inserts are made without plastic, they're easy to dispose of even if you can't flush them: They're compostable, and break down in landfills in about three months. The pants are latex-, chlorine-, and perfume-free, and snap-in waterproof liners (coated with nylon instead of PVC) mean less laundry.
Money Talks: Invest in four pairs of Little G Pants at a cost of about $68, and plan to spend about $.36 (or $.45, depending on which size you buy) on each flushable insert. The inserts will total about the same as disposable diapers, but the initial investment on the pants will save a ton of environmental damage.
Where: gDiapers
How Much: $17/pair, plus $14.50/pack for the flushable inserts (or get a starter kit for $27)
Image courtesy of gDiapers
Why We Like It: Founder (and mom) Marlene Sandburg put performance at the top of her priorities when developing the eco-friendly Nature Babycare Diapers from Nature Babycare; the super-thin core prevents leaks without uncomfortable extra bulk, while the chlorine- and plastic-free make up means they're conveniently disposable.
Eco-Factor: Available in seven sizes, the diapers get their absorbency from wood pulp (harvested sustainably from forests in Scandinavia), and are made without oil-based plastics, chlorine, latex, or fragrances. The Swedish Society for Nature Conservation rewarded the company’s efforts by approving the diapers as a "Good Environmental Choice."
Money Talks: At about $.29 cents per diaper, these are cheaper than traditional disposables—though they cost more as baby grows, with the largest size clocking in at $.72 each.
Where: Nature Babycare; other online and in-store retailers
How Much: $13/pack
Image courtesy of NATY
Why We Like it: Buying cloth diapers is a bit of an investment—but growing babies can make bulk purchases obsolete almost immediately. One-size Diapers from FuzziBunz have eight adjustable settings on the legs and four on the waist for a perfect fit, while snaps (instead of Velcro) and sturdy elastic help the diapers hold up. This means your child can wear the same diaper (available in eight colors) until over the age of three.
Eco-Factor: Using cloth diapers helps offset the waste created by disposable diapers; a combination of fleece and microfiber used to construct the diaper prevents diaper rash caused by the chemicals and toxins on conventional brands.
Money Talks: They don't sell replaceable liners, so you'll need a fresh diaper for every change. If you spend $190 on 10, you'll save money versus disposables after 90 days—but plan on spending a lot more on hot water and electricity for almost-daily laundry.
Where: FuzziBunz Store
How Much: $19/diaper
Image courtesy of FuzziBunz
Why We Like it: The super-soft cotton used in Pure-Rest Organics' Toddler Velcro Fitted Sherpa Diaper keeps your toddler comfortable and happy, while the Velcro tabs offer the quick-change capabilities that make disposables so popular (and organic inserts offer extra protection). Infant sizes are also available.
Eco-Factor: Pure-Rest claims its organic cotton makes the diaper more absorbent than any other cloth diaper, while pairing the insert with a diaper doubler for even more absorbency and using a pull-on cover cuts back on laundry and waste.
Money Talks: Like the FuzziBunz, Pure Rest diapers are wear-and-wash, meaning they’re a better value than disposables after about three months, but the trade-off comes with cleaning them. The toddler size suits a 22- to 35-pound infant, meaning you need to invest in the infant size (8 to 21 pounds) for anything smaller.
Where: Pure Rest Organics. Infant sizes are available through Dax Stores for $132 for a pack of 10.
How Much: $16.20/diaper
Image courtesy of Pure-Rest Organics
Why We Like it: Unlike diapers that are colored white artificially, disposable TenderCare diapers from Earth's Best are made of unbleached materials—and covered with a hypoallergenic top sheet—so babies with sensitive skin won't develop a reaction.
Eco-Factor: The absorbent wood pulp inner (a product of sustainable, renewable forests) is made without chlorine bleach, and the diapers are free of latex, perfumes, hormone-altering Tributyltin, and GMO, so they're non-toxic.
Money Talks: These are a better value for new babies then for toddlers. The smallest size rings in at about $.30 per diaper, but they get more expensive as they get bigger; the extra large size (for kids 27 pounds and up) works out to be $.59 each.
Where: TenderCare Diapers
How Much: $42/case
Image courtesy of The Hain Celestial Group
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