Cloth Diapers Might Not Be Good for the Environment

Cloth Diapers Might Not Be Good for the Environment

Unlike disposable diapers, we know a lot about the manufacturing of cloth diapers, but more specially the textiles involved in creating a cloth diaper. Cloth diapers rely on synthetics such as polyester and microfiber, as well as fleece, PUL/TPU, and absorbencies like hemp, cotton, and bamboo textiles. 

There is the issue of washing cloth diapers and whether that impact on carbon emissions is better than or worse than disposable diapers. However, for most families washing full loads of diapers with warm/hot water, cloth diapering will come out very similar if we think back to a recent British Study. 

That’s not even the big environmental issue with cloth diapering. The elephant in the room is the manufacturing of textiles is dirty business. From cotton to bamboo, and all the synthetics in between, the process to create a cloth diaper insert or absorbency can be quiet toxic to the environment. 

It starts with the growing of cotton which is a crop uses about 16% of the worlds insecticides despite being a minority crop. Cotton requires a lot of water to grow, and some parts of the world still use forced labor to harvest cotton fields in the fall. After this, the story of cotton improves. It’s relatively easy to turn into a textile and an amazing choice for cloth diapering parents. The best choice is to choose a certified organic cotton product that has been manufactured under Fair Trade conditions. There are many brands like bumGenius, Smart Bottoms and Thirsties Baby with passionate roots in cotton textiles. 

It continues with bamboo which has been green washed for decades. Turns out manufacturing bamboo requires two very dangerous chemicals including carbon disulphide which is known to drastically impact the health of workers and the areas where the solution is flushed out. Bamboo textiles are not bamboo anymore; per the FTC this is now to be called Bamboo Rayon or Viscose from Bamboo because the processing of the fiber is no longer bamboo. However, growing bamboo can be rather sustainable as it grows quickly without the need of fertilizers and additives. The best choice is to use a bamboo cloth diaper that has been processed in a closed loop systems. Closed loop bamboo processing ensures chemicals are recycled and often have the safety balances in place to protect workers. We don’t know a whole lot from cloth diaper brands about their processes but Nuggles Diapers ensures their bamboo textiles are formed in a closed loop system with minimal environmental impact. 

And then there is microfiber which is one of the most common cloth diaper inserts on the market. This synthetic is a polyester blend best known for being made from crude oil. That’s just not where it ends, microfiber inserts typically only last for one child because they love to shed and wear down with use. Microfibers are released into our waterways with the washing of microfiber inserts and fleece liners. These little fibers add to micro plastic pollution in the ocean and increase the toxicity of the animals living there. Thus, we have increased health problems in the wild. The best choice is to choose natural fibers cloth diapers that naturally break down in the environment. There are a lot of choices here but I might point you in the direction of organic cotton prefolds and cloth diaper covers. Additionally, you can consider something like the Cora Ball to help reduce the micro plastics released in the wash. 

Textiles used in cloth diapering might make you pause and regret every decision you’ve made to cloth diaper. The processing and after effects is not particularly green, but we can make choices in the cloth diapers we buy to promote a more environmentally conscious product.

We can ask brands and retailers questions about the products they make, and begin to ask the same of disposable diaper companies. As consumers, we only see the waste that lies in front of us, but we don’t see is the waste that took to get there. Whether it’s the pulp and paper manufacturing of a disposable diaper or the creation of bamboo rayon, these are hidden environmental dangers of diapering children. We deserve to have better option that look out for the health and well-being of communities around the world. 

Cloth diapering can be green and is still a safe and healthy choice for your family. If you’re cloth diapering to save the environment don’t forget to look at how your product landed in your hands. 

Unlike disposable diapers, we know a lot about the manufacturing of cloth diapers, but more specially the textiles involved in creating a cloth diaper. Cloth diapers rely on synthetics such as polyester and microfiber, as well as fleece, PUL/TPU, and absorbencies like hemp, cotton, and bamboo textiles. 

There is the issue of washing cloth diapers and whether that impact on carbon emissions is better than or worse than disposable diapers. However, for most families washing full loads of diapers with warm/hot water, cloth diapering will come out very similar if we think back to a recent British Study. 

That’s not even the big environmental issue with cloth diapering. The elephant in the room is the manufacturing of textiles is dirty business. From cotton to bamboo, and all the synthetics in between, the process to create a cloth diaper insert or absorbency can be quiet toxic to the environment. 

It starts with the growing of cotton which is a crop uses about 16% of the worlds insecticides despite being a minority crop. Cotton requires a lot of water to grow, and some parts of the world still use forced labor to harvest cotton fields in the fall. After this, the story of cotton improves. It’s relatively easy to turn into a textile and an amazing choice for cloth diapering parents. The best choice is to choose a certified organic cotton product that has been manufactured under Fair Trade conditions. There are many brands like bumGenius, Smart Bottoms and Thirsties Baby with passionate roots in cotton textiles. 

It continues with bamboo which has been green washed for decades. Turns out manufacturing bamboo requires two very dangerous chemicals including carbon disulphide which is known to drastically impact the health of workers and the areas where the solution is flushed out. Bamboo textiles are not bamboo anymore; per the FTC this is now to be called Bamboo Rayon or Viscose from Bamboo because the processing of the fiber is no longer bamboo. However, growing bamboo can be rather sustainable as it grows quickly without the need of fertilizers and additives. The best choice is to use a bamboo cloth diaper that has been processed in a closed loop systems. Closed loop bamboo processing ensures chemicals are recycled and often have the safety balances in place to protect workers. We don’t know a whole lot from cloth diaper brands about their processes but Nuggles Diapers ensures their bamboo textiles are formed in a closed loop system with minimal environmental impact. 

And then there is microfiber which is one of the most common cloth diaper inserts on the market. This synthetic is a polyester blend best known for being made from crude oil. That’s just not where it ends, microfiber inserts typically only last for one child because they love to shed and wear down with use. Microfibers are released into our waterways with the washing of microfiber inserts and fleece liners. These little fibers add to micro plastic pollution in the ocean and increase the toxicity of the animals living there. Thus, we have increased health problems in the wild. The best choice is to choose natural fibers cloth diapers that naturally break down in the environment. There are a lot of choices here but I might point you in the direction of organic cotton prefolds and cloth diaper covers. Additionally, you can consider something like the Cora Ball to help reduce the micro plastics released in the wash. 

Textiles used in cloth diapering might make you pause and regret every decision you’ve made to cloth diaper. The processing and after effects is not particularly green, but we can make choices in the cloth diapers we buy to promote a more environmentally conscious product.

We can ask brands and retailers questions about the products they make, and begin to ask the same of disposable diaper companies. As consumers, we only see the waste that lies in front of us, but we don’t see is the waste that took to get there. Whether it’s the pulp and paper manufacturing of a disposable diaper or the creation of bamboo rayon, these are hidden environmental dangers of diapering children. We deserve to have better option that look out for the health and well-being of communities around the world. 

Cloth diapering can be green and is still a safe and healthy choice for your family. If you’re cloth diapering to save the environment don’t forget to look at how your product landed in your hands. 

Cloth Diapers Might Not Be Good for the Environment

Unlike disposable diapers, we know a lot about the manufacturing of cloth diapers, but more specially the textiles involved in creating a cloth diaper. Cloth diapers rely on synthetics such as polyester and microfiber, as well as fleece, PUL/TPU, and absorbencies like hemp, cotton, and bamboo textiles. 

There is the issue of washing cloth diapers and whether that impact on carbon emissions is better than or worse than disposable diapers. However, for most families washing full loads of diapers with warm/hot water, cloth diapering will come out very similar if we think back to a recent British Study. 

That’s not even the big environmental issue with cloth diapering. The elephant in the room is the manufacturing of textiles is dirty business. From cotton to bamboo, and all the synthetics in between, the process to create a cloth diaper insert or absorbency can be quiet toxic to the environment. 

It starts with the growing of cotton which is a crop uses about 16% of the worlds insecticides despite being a minority crop. Cotton requires a lot of water to grow, and some parts of the world still use forced labor to harvest cotton fields in the fall. After this, the story of cotton improves. It’s relatively easy to turn into a textile and an amazing choice for cloth diapering parents. The best choice is to choose a certified organic cotton product that has been manufactured under Fair Trade conditions. There are many brands like bumGenius, Smart Bottoms and Thirsties Baby with passionate roots in cotton textiles. 

It continues with bamboo which has been green washed for decades. Turns out manufacturing bamboo requires two very dangerous chemicals including carbon disulphide which is known to drastically impact the health of workers and the areas where the solution is flushed out. Bamboo textiles are not bamboo anymore; per the FTC this is now to be called Bamboo Rayon or Viscose from Bamboo because the processing of the fiber is no longer bamboo. However, growing bamboo can be rather sustainable as it grows quickly without the need of fertilizers and additives. The best choice is to use a bamboo cloth diaper that has been processed in a closed loop systems. Closed loop bamboo processing ensures chemicals are recycled and often have the safety balances in place to protect workers. We don’t know a whole lot from cloth diaper brands about their processes but Nuggles Diapers ensures their bamboo textiles are formed in a closed loop system with minimal environmental impact. 

And then there is microfiber which is one of the most common cloth diaper inserts on the market. This synthetic is a polyester blend best known for being made from crude oil. That’s just not where it ends, microfiber inserts typically only last for one child because they love to shed and wear down with use. Microfibers are released into our waterways with the washing of microfiber inserts and fleece liners. These little fibers add to micro plastic pollution in the ocean and increase the toxicity of the animals living there. Thus, we have increased health problems in the wild. The best choice is to choose natural fibers cloth diapers that naturally break down in the environment. There are a lot of choices here but I might point you in the direction of organic cotton prefolds and cloth diaper covers. Additionally, you can consider something like the Cora Ball to help reduce the micro plastics released in the wash. 

Textiles used in cloth diapering might make you pause and regret every decision you’ve made to cloth diaper. The processing and after effects is not particularly green, but we can make choices in the cloth diapers we buy to promote a more environmentally conscious product.

We can ask brands and retailers questions about the products they make, and begin to ask the same of disposable diaper companies. As consumers, we only see the waste that lies in front of us, but we don’t see is the waste that took to get there. Whether it’s the pulp and paper manufacturing of a disposable diaper or the creation of bamboo rayon, these are hidden environmental dangers of diapering children. We deserve to have better option that look out for the health and well-being of communities around the world. 

Cloth diapering can be green and is still a safe and healthy choice for your family. If you’re cloth diapering to save the environment don’t forget to look at how your product landed in your hands.