by Amanda Drollinger, AWC Central Scotland
The world is changing, and reducing our individual waste is critical for each of us. This includes newborn babies. They don’t know they 
Amanda’s daughter, Rivaare causing the production of huge amounts of non-recyclable waste just by wearing disposable diapers. Luckily, the solution already exists and has improved in recent years to be very easy and convenient. It simply requires a clear decision and a little bit of planning. Welcome to the world of washable diapers!
We first want to think about what our choices are and why we would choose washable diapers instead of the alternatives.
Disposable diapers (nappies): Why are they harmful?
Disposable diapers, bio or non-bio, take decades to decompose and are potentially full of environmentally harmful chemicals. The average non-biodegradable diaper takes 500 years to decompose. A biodegradable one takes an average of 50 years, but that is only if they are in locations that allow decomposition. Most end up in sealed landfills with little or no possibility of decomposition. When they do decompose, they expel environmentally harmful VOC into the atmosphere. For someone like me, whose mother used disposable diapers on her, the diapers I wore as a baby will still exist long after I’m dead. This is a scary reminder of just how permanent our plastic and non-recyclable waste is. Our legacy is in our rubbish and we need to stop that legacy from continuing.
What is the cost of disposable vs. washable diapers?
Environmental cost
The environmental cost of disposable diapers is measurable and quantified by various nations’ EPA or similar agencies. Worldwide, the majority of used disposable diapers end up in landfills – about 2000 diapers per baby per year of use. In the US in 2017, that was 3,340,000 tons of used diapers in landfills. And there they remain for the next 500 years or more. On the other hand are washable diapers, 24 of which could be used for the entire duration of a baby’s use of diapers. The manufacturing emissions of either type are potentially equal (depending on brand and process) and so negate each other, but washable diapers do have ongoing emission costs in washing and drying which vary depending on the method of washing and drying. The energy used to wash and dry will also have varying degrees of emissions and could potentially come from all renewable green energy sources, possibly eliminating this environmental cost. (Air drying in the sunshine or over a rack are free!)
Personal economic cost
The personal economic cost of diapers is also significant and comes out in favor of washable diapers, potentially saving money and the environment. I will use my location and experience to illustrate the cost differences. Over the course of a year, my baby needed 2,555 changes: that is an average of 7 changes per day (maybe more than some, less than others). For disposable diapers, the price range in my location in the UK is between 5 and 33p per diaper – a range of £127.75 – £843.15 per year for disposable diapers, depending on size and brand. Equally, the personal economic cost of washable diapers has a range, as the number of washable diapers purchased is the bulk of the upfront cost. It is recommended to have at least 12 washable diapers and wash a load each day. I prefer to have 24 washable diapers to reduce the stress of washing them in time for reuse. A supply of 12–24 washable diapers will cost between £186 for a kit of 12 to £600 for 24 washable diapers, depending on quantity and brand (the prices are for the cheapest brand for 12 and the most expensive brand for 24, but you could buy 24 of the cheaper brand for £372). That purchase of diapers will be sufficient for the entire diaper period and not just one year, meaning that the following year the comparable cost savings are even more significant. Washable diapers can also be used for any further siblings or given to friends to use for their babies. Washable diapers, if used exclusively or primarily from birth to potty training will save hundreds if not thousand of pounds per child.
How to get started with washable diapers
I have used only washable diapers for my daughter after leaving the hospital with her a week after she was born. The hospital would not allow me to use washable diapers while we were there. So I did use some disposal diapers at the beginning of her life. It can also take a while to get used to the idea of using washable diapers, and that is ok. The important thing is to make the transition at whatever stage you feel comfortable in order to reduce the number of disposable diapers used and cut down of the amount of waste going into landfills.
Riva models Totsbots
Riva models BumgeniusNow that we know washable diapers are better for the environment and will save us money, how do we get started and what do we need?
First of all, washable diapers these days are easy to use and come in a huge range of fun colors and patterns, making them a beautiful and useful product. There are two common and easy-to-fasten types: velcro or snaps. I’m going to refer to two brands, one with each type of fastener. They are Totsbots, with Velcro fasteners, that are available in the UK and Bumgenius, with snap fasteners, available in the US.
There are dozens of other brands and are likely to be brands local to your location. Buying a locally produced product will cut down on your environmental impact even further. Washable diapers also make a great baby shower gift, taking the stress off the parents to purchase all the diapers they will need. Grandparents can also keep a supply at their houses, meaning a grandparent will always have a spare diaper ready to go and in the right size since washable diapers are size adjustable and will fit all babies through to potty training.
What do I need?
This is just what I think a person who is going to use washable diapers exclusively needs. Individuals might want more or less depending on how they want to do things. Experimenting to find the easiest and most convenient setup for you is the most important thing.
My list of washable diaper must-haves:
- 12–24 washable diapers of preferred fastener type (both types are one size fits all and adjustable; the photo shows 12 diapers –
half Bumgenius and half Tosbots) - 24 washable felt diaper liners
- 25 double sided washable wipes (you really will want the double sided ones)
- 1 washable wipes sealable waterproof container (purpose made or Tupperware container with lid)
- 1 diaper bucket with mesh washable liners (I love the Totsbots one, which comes with two mesh liners for easy washing.)
- Specifically formulated diaper soap (I use Totsbots Potion). This ensures the diapers remain clean with no staining.
- 3 washable wet/dry bags, for travel and day trips to put the dirty diapers and wipes in for the journey home
Double washable swim diaper system If you like to swim and want to take your baby into the water too, the washable double swim diaper system is wonderful. The outer shell has tight elastic bands at the legs and waist to contain any mess. This is a great swap from disposable, even if you use disposable for the rest of the time. The double swim diaper system has less issues than with a disposable swim diaper.
A wash every night keeps the cycle going and prevents the home from ever being smelly. From birth until solid food is started, the dirty diapers can go right in the wash without rinsing. (It all washes away no problem as long as the food source is only milk.) Once the baby starts solid food, use the liners to put solids into the toilet. The environmental cost of water and energy use can be a consideration depending on your location (e.g., areas of drought or other environmental distress), but in general these costs and impacts are less than for washable diapers than the water and energy use required to produce the disposable diapers in the first place.
That’s all you need to never buy another disposable diaper again!
Sources:
- Disposable nappies: What’s their environmental cost?
- EPA: figures on disposable diaper waste
- The Effects of Disposable Diapers on the Environment and Human Health
- An updated lifecycle assessment study for disposable and reusable nappies
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Special thanks to the charming model, Amanda’'s daughter Riva. So young and already helping to change the world for the better! :-)
