Rate this post

1 Star2 Stars3 Stars4 Stars

Join the discussion

1 comment

Share this article

Published on January 12th, 2009

Keeping Chlorine Off Baby’s Behind

New parents take heart: a little poop might not be the worst thing you find in diapers these days, as far as the environment is concerned.

Diapers made from non-toxic and natural ingredients are both eco- and bottom-friendly. - Seventh Generation

Diapers made from non-toxic and natural ingredients are both eco- and bottom-friendly. - Seventh Generation

It’s estimated that over 27 million diapers are consumed each year in the U.S., and over 90 percent end up landfills. Once these diapers reach the landfill, some sources estimate that it takes between 250 and 500 years for them to decompose.

What’s breaking down in these diapers? It isn’t just human waste and plastic, since many diapers are manufactured using chlorine.

The irony here is that one of the primary functions of chlorine is to make products like paper and diapers look white, even though white is probably the last color you’d associate with a used diaper. This same chlorine can create toxic pollution in landfills, while also providing irritation to a baby’s skin.

Chlorine-free diapers are available, manufactured by companies such as Seventh Generation. Additionally, eco-friendly products for your baby are available, including wipes and training pants once they approach potty-training age. With the amount of baby products you’ll probably throw away during your child’s lifetime, it’s worth the environmental investment.

Comments

  1. bopeep

    posted on January 20th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

    Although I believe that some of the benefits of chlorine include more than whitening, and that microbial concerns can exceed any real or perceived chlorine irritation (about 1/10% of the human body is already composed of chlorine), the author hits the nail on the head in the last sentence. We often fail to realize the cumulative effect of many small attacks on the environment.

    bp

Join the discussion



Recently Added to Plastic

  • U.K. Tests Dirty Diaper Recycling

    When a new recycling facility opens next year in Birmingham, England, it won’t specialize in typical curbside products or other materials growing in recycling popularity, such as electronics and tires. This site will collect disposable diapers and transform the plastic …

  • Polystyrene Outlawed at San Jose Events

    The San Jose Mercury News reports that the city of San Jose, Calif. has banned the use of polystyrene foam food and beverage containers at large events on city property.

    San Jose is the most recent to join a growing list …

  • Reuse Your Odd Plastic

    Yeah, it’s made of plastic and has a number, and OK, it’s technically recyclable. But while 80 percent of Americans have access to plastics recycling programs in some form, finding one that actually accepts our daily hard-to-recycle items is sometimes …