Diapers Q&A

Are disposable diapers biodegradable?

Public Comments

1. Just the cotton part. The plastic parts are not.
2. yes they are, but, they are not flushable. That is different.
3. Yes especially now - they stopped making them with the plastic like they did in the 80's -but they called them biodegradable even back then !!!
4. Disposable diapers are a massive environmental problem and parts of them will remain for thousands and thousands of years. There are many companies now making cotton diapers in the same shape as disposable ones with detachable and disposable inserts in the required area so you only throw away the biodegradable part. I know you can get them in the friends of the earth catalogue - the natural collection. I think the initial outlay can be big, but you don't need to buy loads and loads of diapers, as the main body of the item is machine washable, so it may work out more cost affective over time than disposables.
5. Definitely yes
6. Yes, but beware of counterfeits, and imitations.
7. They can be. In Australia, there are recycling services for disposble nappies and reusable nappy services. These options may well be available elsewhere.