Is there a truly “green” diaper? I am not sure there is an answer to that question. As with a lot of things, depending on the way you look at “green” determines whether or not there is a true and meaningful answer. Let’s put the options out on the table:

• Disposable Diapers
• Biodegradable, Chlorine Free Disposable Diapers
• Cloth Diapers
• Diapers with Disposable or Cloth Inserts

Those are the choices I am familiar with - please educate me if there are others out there. Of these choices, I have tried them all and want to provide my input for anyone who might be in search of a diapering solution. Let’s start with my least favorite option:

1. Disposable Diapers. When I talk about disposable diapers, I am referring to the diapers we are all accostomed to seeing. Most disposables are made of plastic. Then they’re bleached with chlorine, which releases dioxin, a toxic byproduct and known carcinogen. Meanwhile, makers of disposable diapers use an estimated 250,000 trees a year to produce cellulose, the ingredient that draws liquid to the center of the diaper. Finally, once it’s used, each disposable diaper takes up to 500 years to decompose in a landfill. Yet 95 percent of parents use them. At an average of 5,000 to 8,000 diapers per child, the cost to future generations adds up. I am not trying to judge anyone… I am a small business owner trying to make ends meet and know that these diapers are cheap and easy to use. I am just encouraging you to think about what is really on your babie’s bottom 24/7 for 3 years of their life; to consider the quantity your ONE baby contributes to the landfill; to think about the business practices your purchases are supporting.

2. Biodegradable, Compostable, Chlorine Free Disposable Diapers. These diapers come in a few varieties. There are chlorine-free diapers which are better for baby and the environment and free of cancer causing toxins. The makers of these new biodegradable disposable diapers are on the right track, but how much of an environmental impact can they actually make? Disposable diapers, no matter how organic they may be, still end up in landfills. Landfills don’t separate biodegradable waste from the rest, so they end up mixed up with everything else, filling the garbage dumps and not decomposing properly. Landfills are not compost facilities; to properly break down the diapers they need to be taken somewhere that would compost them effectively. So, you have the ease of the disposable, you are saving your baby exposure to harsh chemicals, reducing environmental exposure to harmful chemical byproducts, and possibly reducing the lifetime of the diaper in the landfill. A definite step in the right direction.

3. Cloth Diapers. My relationship with cloth diapers is an interesting one. I am a HUGE fan of the cloth diaper because I think they are better for baby’s skin, don’t end up in the landfill, allow air circulation and look pretty darn cute. If I could, I would use cloth diapers exclusively. However, I have found that I just don’t have the time to do the laundry as frequently as I need to. The green questions there are: How much water do you use to wash the diapers? How much energy do you use to heat the water? How much energy do you use to dry the diapers? As a working mom with kids at the store, I just found it difficult to get diapers to and from work, to remember which nurseries allowed me to send cloth diapers to school, to get them into the washer to soak, then to remember to run the wash cycle, then to remember to dry them. For a more organized mom, this is not a big deal, but I typically am running around like a wild woman. I have to repeat that I love cloth diapers and think the reduction in landfill waste and chemical byproducts is a great thing, and, in complete honesty, it isn’t messy or gross to deal with. It is so easy to use the diapers and clean the diapers if you just have the desire to do it.

4. Diapers with Disposable or Cloth Inserts. This option provides parents with a flexible diapering solution. You can have the flexibility of a disposable diaper with a 100% biodegradable refill, or opt for reusability with super soft cloth liner. These diapers are plastic-free, elemental chlorine free, latex free, and perfume free.  All materials are breathable, just like sports clothing, so babies are far less likely to get diaper rash.  Home compost, toss, or flush the biodegradable liners for the smallest footprint on earth- they break down in 50-150 days. That’s my sales pitch… now the mom opinion. I love this idea, but there are still a few kinks. One is that changing out the liner isn’t a seamless process when you have  a wiggling baby on the changing table. Even if you have the liner pre-stuffed, you still have to unsnap the old one and snap in the new one. Also, one nursery my kids go to still won’t accept these as disposable diapers so I am having to switch back and forth all of the time.

There, have I confused you even more about what “green” options are available for you? I hope I have given you some options to consider. I think diapering is a huge part of family happiness, because let’s face it, you spend a tremendous amount of time dealing with diapers, and ultimately, you need to find the solution that works for your family and your views about environmental consciousness. For me, I can’t get away from disposables entirely because of my childcare needs. I opt for the biodegradable, chlorine free disposables in order to reduce my impact in that way. Then at home, I try to use the cloth diapers or interchangable diapering solutions. If you could switch to a greener option just 1 or 2 diapers a day, think of the overwhelming impact you could have on the landfills. All I say is try it, you might just be surprised what works for you and our environment.