Compostable Paper Diapers
Posted on Tuesday February 26, 2008 at 11:57PM
Is composting disposable diapers a good environmental solution? Compost created with disposable diapers is called mixed solid waste (MSW) compost, or "dirty" compost. It should not be confused with the nutrient-rich humus of your backyard composter. Dirty compost is not a good soil enhancer. In fact, staff scientist and solid waste expert Jackie Prince of the Environmental Defense Fund says MSW compost is a "low quality, contaminated material with uses limited to landfill cover, for example."
The claim that certain diaper brands are made from "compostable" materials does not alter the reality that they are still just as 100% garbage as brands that do not claim it. The "compostable diaper" claim is merely bait to help consumers feel like they are making a good environmental choice, when in reality they are not.
The more you look into the "recycling" of disposable diapers, the better you'll understand that composting is not an environmental solution for this single-use, plastic product. Cotton diapers are a much better alternative. Reusing a product is recycling in the purest form.
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I know someone who proudly used these "compostable" diapers. I couldn't help but think of how wrong it would be to feed my family food from my garden if I put human waste into the soil. Good to know my concerns were not unfounded.
Posted on Saturday April 05, 2008 at 02:37PM
by
L. Cooley
I know someone who used compostable diapers and bragged about how environmentally friendly they are. But I couldn't help but wonder how I could feed my family food from my garden if I had contaminated the soil with human waste. And as for these things also being flushable? How many flushes will it take to send that diaper down the drain just to cause plumbing problems? A waste of water. Thank you for this article, it's nice to know my concerns were valid.
Posted on Saturday April 05, 2008 at 02:58PM
by
Lara
Lara, I would suggest reading The Humanure Handbook. Composting your own humanure and recycling it into your garden is what it's all about. Google it, it's a free download. It was a good read!
Posted on Wednesday June 18, 2008 at 06:36PM
by
G Lavender
G diapers combine all of the convenience of disposables with the environmental benefits of reusables. The inner core breaks up easily in the bowl once the outer paper cover is ripped apart, sending it to be processed as effluent in 4L (assuming you have a low flow toilet). The outer cotton and inner breathable polyester liner need to be washed only with "large" accidents; maybe 3-4 times per week and can easily be added to other laundry. There is no garbage, and very little water used. They are extremely breathable and my baby finds them very comfortable. I have yet to meet anyone who actually home composts them and certainly, composting the poopy diapers would be a huge mistake. The company website offers many suggestions regarding disposal options. Remember, cloth diapers are washed in large industrial machines requiring many litres of water per wash. This water (containing all of the waste from your baby) becomes effluent just as your toilet water does. There's no difference, only in the quantity of water used. Don't write-off the "compostables" until you become appropriately informed, and no, I don't work for the company, I'm just a huge fan of their system.
Posted on Wednesday September 10, 2008 at 10:17PM
by
L. Hawkins
In response to G diapers a fabulous option.
First I would like to say great that you don't work for the company. Like so
many diaper companies, they will mislead you with the information they don't
tell you.
For starters over 90% of all "low flush" Toilets use 6 liters of water not
4. There are now dual flush toilets so that if the user just does a number
"1" can push a button and the toilet will flush between 1.4 and 1.6 liters
of water. All manufacturer information that I have come across, it is
suggested to do a complete flush (6 liters) if there is any solid waste.
This includes toilet paper. What G-diaper does not tell you is that we, Happy Nappy
use equipment that consumes an average of one (1) liter of water per diaper, to get it
clean. Basic grade four math is that we use one sixth or 83% less water
just in the process to clean the diaper. If you are using a disposable
diaper there is all the environmental issues surrounding the manufacturing
and processing of the diapers. Once again a reusable product is always more
friendly than a one time use diaper. One very important point you have
brought up also needs to be addressed fully. G-Diapers uses polyester in
their design. Polyester is plastic. There is no argument here. Plastic does
not get treated in the effluent as suggested in your comment. It gets
filtered then backwashed into a sediment pond where it will then get removed
and placed in a land fill. There was a very old science trick that
my teacher presented to our class when I was young. A bucket was placed on the
counter and the teacher filed it with large stones. Then asked us if it was
full. A resounding yes was echoed in the class. Then he took another bucket
full of small pebbles and dumped it into the "full" bucket of stones. Like
magic the pebbles all fit in the bucket. "is it full?" again not as loud,
yes was the reply. A bucket of sand was next and the whole bucket of sand
went into this other bucket of stones and pebbles. Yep....it was full now.
Then came the bucket of water. It too was dumped into the already full
stone, then pebble, then sand bucket and it too filled the bucket. Why did I
tell this story? Well for starters, plastic is plastic and plastic does not
decompose. Whether it is big plastic like play sets or small pieces like
diapers or smaller yet like polyester, it is still plastic garbage. Non compostable
garbage. Please don't let people tell you otherwise. We all make choices. No
one makes a bad choice on purpose. Now that you are equipped with more
information, can I suggest that you try us out? Better for baby, Better for
the earth and Better for your pocket book. Heck, if you tell us that you are
the one who wrote the article, I'll give you a free 2 weeks just to show you
how much better we really are. Thanks again for your comments.
Brent P
Posted on Tuesday October 21, 2008 at 08:31AM
by
brent pederson
It was an interesting post about the lack of benefits of compostable diapers. I've always wondered how useful it was. But of course reusing cloth diapers is one of the best way to limit damage to the environment.
Posted on Tuesday April 06, 2010 at 12:02PM
by
Diaper Cakes
We used compostable diapers for my daughter, but did not compost the diapers soiled with poop into our vegetable garden compost - kept it separate. My daughter is now early 3 and out of diapers, but almost EVERY diaper we composted during her 2.5 years in diapers is GONE - completely disintegrated. So, tell me how that is NOT better than filling a landfill with regular diapers?! Cloth or G-diapers may or may not be better environmentally than compostables, but there is no arguement that if you actually compost them, they're better than diapers that take 100's (1000's?) of years to disappear!
Posted on Sunday June 13, 2010 at 04:35PM
by
Jane
Jane definitely has a point. The compostables or bio-degradable diapers are definitely the lesser of the 2 necessary "evils".
We have used primarily cloth diapers as well as regular disposable, compostable, and touted eco-friendlier diapers for our first 2 boys. I am about to have a 3rd child and our cloths are getting raggedy. I know that these will break down rather quickly when disposed of, and we have also composted the pee diapers when using compostables. At this point I am feeling somewhat tired of the whole process of cloth, but really want to be as mindful as possible. I have been considering the option of compostables as a more long term option and have been looking into the construction of them. Apparently there are concerns by the Flexible Plastic Association regarding the degradation of polymers being touted as compostable. As well as the fact that in reading one of the MSDS sheets on the website of a creator(Nature Works LLC) of the polymer called 'Ingeo', and for those who are concerned with all areas of lab creation should be aware that the there is testing done on animals to determine toxicity and sensitization. Although the animals seemed to come out ok and there haven't been any adverse effects noted, it is still worth considering whether you are ok with animal testing or not. The polymer has also been noted to not bio-accumulate and that it is "inherently bio-degradable". One other thought that comes to mind is that unless we can afford to purchase certified organic cotton diapers, we are also contributing to the chemical cocktail that is extensively used to treat cotton fields. There are many options to be considered and for everyone it is really just a matter as to how far you are willing to go with it. So I have found my mornings research to be quite interesting and has definitely given me something to ponder. The reality of it all is what is going to work best for our family, financially and ethically.
Posted on Thursday September 02, 2010 at 09:21AM
by
Lila
I love this discussion. I believe anyone who is reading this wants to make a better choice for their children. Composting is a valid and good option. I would rather you compost your diapers then throw them out. It is not the lesser of two evils. It is a step in the right direction, (this is coming from someone who touts the benefits of cloth for a living. As for human feces, composting toilets work extremely well, and it is easy to do this in your back yard. All you need is peat moss, and a barrel. layer as you go, once it is full let it sit in your yard and roll it around. All material changes into soil quick. We do this with dog feces and at our cabins. I think cloth is best, and if I lived somewhere where a service was offered I would definitely promote it amongst my friends who were reluctant to cloth at home. Most people who choose cloth, love it. It is fun to source out the coolest diaper and show them off. Remember if you do choose a hybrid style of diaper Like the flip system or g-diaper it is very easy to make them cloth diapers!!! Good on all of you for making a difference:)
Posted on Tuesday March 01, 2011 at 07:30PM
by
Michelle
in response to Brent's comment:
"G-Diapers uses polyester in their design. Polyester is plastic. There is no argument here. Plastic does
not get treated in the effluent as suggested in your comment. It gets filtered then backwashed into a sediment pond where it will then get removed and placed in a land fill."
I'm confused by this comment. I don't see why anyone would flush the polyester portion of the g-diaper...
Posted on Tuesday November 08, 2011 at 03:45PM
by
Sonjah
The potion that g diapers says you can flush is actually made of plastic. If you want a great read done by the Vancouver waste department on compostable diapers read here: http://www.cityofvancouver.us/upload/images/PublicWorks/Official_City%20of%20Vancouver%20gDiaper%20Study%20_FinalReport_20071109.pdf
Posted on Tuesday December 13, 2011 at 09:29AM
by
Brent
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