Cloth is better for the environment
In 1988, over 18 billion diapers were sold and consumed in the US. Based on current calculations, it is estimated that 27.4 billion disposable diapers are consumed every year and disposed of in our landfills, often containing raw and untreated sewage.
In 1988, over 18 billion diapers were sold and consumed in the US. Based on current calculations, it is estimated that 27.4 billion disposable diapers are consumed every year and disposed of in our landfills, often containing raw and untreated sewage.
- Cloth diapers do not end up in landfills.
- Disposable diapers are the third largest single consumer item in landfills.
- Over 92% of all single use diapers end up in a landfill. These diapers leech chemicals and bio wastes into the ground, ending up in our lakes, rivers, and eventually our drinking water.
- A disposable diaper can take anywhere from 100- 500 years to biodegrade in a landfill. That means that EVERY SINGLE disposable diaper ever used is still out there decomposing somewhere.
- The average cloth diaper is used between 100 and 150 times as a diaper, and then retired. Retired cloth diapers are in high demand and have a second lifecycle as rags for detailing shops; window washing services, janitorial services, piano retailers, and assorted other businesses where soft, lint- free rags are needed.
- Cloth Diaper manufacturing does not create deadly byproducts such as Dioxin (see our Health pages for information regarding Dioxin)
- Cloth diapers are 100% cotton, a sustainable resource.
- Wastewater from the manufacturing of disposable diapers often contains dioxin, solvents, biocides, and even heavy metals.
- Disposable diapers use 20 times more raw materials.
- Over 300 lbs. of wood, 50 lbs. of petroleum, and 20 lbs. of chlorine are used to produce disposable diapers for ONE baby EACH year.
- The manufacturing and use of cloth diapers requires less than half of the amount of water than that of disposables.
- The single use life cycle of disposable diapers perpetuates continued consumption, causing undue stress on our natural resources.
- Our industrial machines can clean more diapers at a time using less water.
- The water used to manufacture disposable diapers is so heavily laden with chemicals and toxic by-products that it can not be recycled