Ryan Galiotto

Posts Tagged ‘OiOi diaper bags’

Diaper bags hold diapers. Sure they house many other accessories – but their main function is stated by their name. And a new generation of parents now have a new set of diaper choices. Environmental concerns have led more companies to design better diapers that reduce waste and provide healthier alternatives. The variety of diaper styles now basically revolve around three categories. Cloth diapers with new cloth diaper versions are one type. The old plastic disposables are a second type. And a third style are the new hybrids which combine an outer layer which is permanent along with a disposable inner layer.

I read a statistic recently that stated over 1% of all trash in landfills is disposable diapers. Is that something or what? Here are some other interesting facts to note: Over 27 BILLION disposables are used just in the US alone per year. According to Wikipedia, that translates to a possible 3.4 million tons of used diapers that go into landfills every year. Hmm. That’s not a pretty thought now is it.

It’s known that the plastics, sticky tabs and chemicals used in the disposables can irritate a baby and cause dizziness as well as the diaper pieces coming off and potentially put into a baby mouth as they move. So there are clearly multiple issues to think about for those who want to make an educated choice on these things used even more often than diaper bags. An absorbent in plastic diapers known as sodium polyacrylate doesn’t have the greatest safety record, so it’s good to be informed.

Plastic diapers typically have the best grades for absorbing wetness. But then again, if you’re changing cloth diapers regularly, you won’t have the child in a wet diaper for long anyway. As discussed, the other drawback from an environmental perspective is that a lot more detergent will be used. And thus more chemical waste into the environment. The cost factors for cloth and plastic are debatable but are roughly the same. It really depends on the individual situation.

Mail order companies can provide cloth diaper services as well. While there is a greater cost up front to purchase all the diapers you’ll need in a typical rotation of washing, the savings can be significant. Some statistics show that disposable diapers can cost over $2000 in some situations over the life of using them with a child. Cloth diapers can cost significantly less after the initial purchase of the set. New cloth diapers in a larger size will be needed at some point too. This will still be a reduced cost from 2-3 years of plastic diapers in nearly all cases.

Hybrid diapers come in a multitude of options as well. Companies like g diaper provide inner layer inserts which can be thrown away. They have a reusable outer layer which is secure and keeps leaks at bay as well. Other companies use various microfiber which can be washed. Seventh Generation has a diaper which is a throw away. However, it it marketed as having significantly less toxins and reduces waste. This is still a disposable diaper, but you’re getting some reduction in environmental waste. Not the optimum green choice, but still perhaps better than the stock plastic diaper.

The next time you refill your diaper bag, you’ll know the additional choices available in the diaper world. Technology has advanced even in the world of diapers. It’s a matter of deciding whether one wants convenience at a more expensive price for the planet and for your money. Or whether a little more time needs to be spent in washing diapers and having some cost savings in a little bit of time. There’s no need for one extreme or the other either. Many companies are providing a happy medium which gives benefits in savings and reduction of waste.