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Cloth VS Disposables - Cloth Diapers are making a come back!
The cloth versus single use disposable diaper debate is a common one. Despite the known fact that single use diapers are estimated to take 250-500 years to decompose, many parents have overlooked cloth as an option. However today’s parents are becoming increasingly educated and simultaneously ecologically responsible. The result, cloth diapers are making a come back!
Modern cloth diapering parents realize that gone are the days of cumbersome pins, wet pails and plastic pants! Cloth diapering is a whole new fashion that new parents are embracing with ease and a clear conscience. Here are just a few of the reasons why......
Non Biodegradable Waste - One baby goes through about 6,500 diapers. If the baby were to be diapered in single use diapers this produces about 2 tons of non-biodegradable waste. Single use diapers are made of paper, plastic and absorptive gel (sodium polyacrylate). These are all materials which don’t biodegrade easily. Paper must be exposed to air and sunlight to decompose. Some waste management experts believe that most things do not biodegrade, even natural materials in landfills because of the lack of oxygen and water.
In addition, untreated body excrement, which may carry intestinal viruses, is brought to landfills via single use disposable diapers. This may contribute to groundwater contamination and attract insects that carry and transmit diseases.
Water Usage - More water is required to manufacture disposables than to wash cloth diapers at home.
Manufacturing Process - Manufacturing of single use diapers can release chemical by-products into the environment. Each year millions of tons of wood and pulp along with petroleum resources are used in the manufacture of single use diapers.
Toxic Chemicals - Synthetic materials in single use diapers could be exposing baby’s to toxic chemicals. Baby’s health is a consideration in choosing a diapering method. Parents should be aware that single use diapers contain traces of the carcinogenic toxin, Dioxin. Dioxin is the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals.
- Cloth is the natural choice – no chemicals or gels.
Infertility in Boys - There have been medical reports in Europe suggesting the link of infertility in boys (due to lower sperm count) and single use diapers. Studies found that scrotal temperature was consistently and significantly higher during the use of single use diapers compared with cotton diapers.
Parenting By Example - Children learn by example – make a conscience choice and handle waste responsibly. Every little bit counts and as parents we have an even greater stake in reducing waste, recycling and re-using. Single use diapers last a couple of hours while cloth diapers will last for three years or more! You can further reduce your baby’s impact on the environment by using cloth wipes instead of disposable wipes and simply wash them along with your diapers. So why not give cloth a try? You’ve got nothing to lose and plenty to gain.
PLUS......Modern cloth diapers are cute, stylish, fun, comfortable, environmentally friendly and cost effective!
Written By: Deb Crocker Singh, mom to 3 cloth diapered gems (2003, 2005, 2007) and owner of Tiny Gem Baby Solutions, www.tinygem.ca, 403-640-0865, 1-888-640-4GEM (4436)
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