Diapers Q&A

Are there any countries that have banned the use of disposable diapers and similar products?

I have been using cloth diapers with both of my children pretty much since day one and am about to use cloth with a third baby. I know all the reasons not to use disposable diapers but it seems that so many people out there don't even think about it when they use a disposable diaper and it's really frustrating because I know just how bad they are for the environment and for our children's health. I don't want to sound like a tree hugger though and stop every parent that walks into a changing station and start preaching about it. I have heard though that many other countries are starting to inform parents about the hazards of disposable diapers and promoting cloth again. Are there any countries out there that have completely banned disposables all together? Are there any countries that never made the switch from cloth to disposables in the first place? Oh, and I don't use a diaper service either. I just take it off baby, shake off any loose poo into the toilet and throw into the diaper pail. Then once diaper pail is full, about every two to three days, take the pail and dump into my high efficiancy front loading washer and put through one rinse cycle and thena regular wash cycle then put into dryer. It's just that simple in case anyone is wondering. Also, today's cloth diapers are not what grandma would have used with pins and rubber pants. Most have velcro or snaps and go on just like a disposable and look just like a disposable only made with cloth instead.

Public Comments

1. I have not heard of any countries banning them. Where I live, there aren't even any diaper services. It's wash them all yourself or nothing. I have heard of some counties that are now recycling disposable diapers. Wish that was an option here.
2. Not that I know of, but I think they should. People have gotten so lazy these days! I am sure there are some countries that the people could never afford the disposable diapers. Good Luck!
3. No disposable diapers is big business all over the world ,only Green thinking people who are not lazy enough will volunteer to use the old washable diapers again , but i think its a losing battle ,convenience puts forward a strong argument for modern busy people ,many of whom have not maids anymore ,not like in the past
4. Yes. There are countries that do have special taxes on disposable diapers, though I dont think there is a ban due to inconvenience. I did my reasearch and I found out that Seattle is one of them This is what the site says: "Ban or tax some products, such as plastic bags, disposable diapers, plastic beverage bottles and Styrofoam food packaging. Although these materials amount to a relatively small percentage of the city's trash, such moves encourage businesses to use more environmentally friendly packaging, the consultants said during a presentation to Conlin's committee last week."
5. Please keep in mind the invaluable medical asset a disposable diaper is. It goes beyond an infant wearing diaper. Don't get me wrong, I think you make a valid point but I can't agree on banning disposable diapers. Maybe we should be changing how they are manufactured.
6. I think that the US should cut down on things like this. Think of all the crap we are poring into our planet. Literally.