For many families, cost-effectiveness and convenience come first when determining the diapers to use, but there is one more thing that often goes ignored, the carbon footprint of disposable diapers.
The environmental impact should also be a priority, now that, on average, a baby uses thousands of them in the first few years of life, at least until they are potty-trained.
In fact, accounting for the manufacture, packaging, transportation, use, and finally disposal, an individual child could be responsible for as much as 457 kg of carbon gas emissions to the environment.4
If carbon footprint calculation matters to you and you are keen on reducing your household’s emissions, you can learn about the emissions generated by diapers, and finally determine the best practice for your family.
Disposable Diapers Environmental Impact: What Is the Carbon Footprint of Disposable Diapers?
First things first, what is a carbon footprint? And why is it important to learn how to calculate carbon footprint manually or automatically?
The carbon footprint of a substance or process is the level of greenhouse gases that are produced as a result of human activities: so the higher the carbon footprint, the more negative impact the activity has on the environment.
On average, a baby could use as much as 3,000-5,000 disposable nappies before they are three years old. This usage can lead to as much as 457 kg of emissions for only one child.4
Note that this is not only from the use, disposal, and decomposition; it goes up to the initial stages of manufacturing the diaper, which is actually the leading cause of emissions.
On the other hand, cloth or reusable nappies are also to blame for emissions, by as much as 344.5kg of CO2 for each child, mostly coming from their laundering.4
To give you a better perspective when it comes to the environmental impact involved, here is a breakdown of the factors that contribute to the high carbon footprint of disposable diapers.
Carbon Footprint of Raw Materials
Did you know that plastic is the main component used in the manufacture of disposable diapers? Plastic diapers come from petroleum, meaning oil is involved when making nappies.
Consider the mining or drilling of the oil and the devastating effects that it has on the environment and how it pollutes the air, water, and soil.
There is also the use of cotton, which uses up a lot of water during planting; all these factors come into play to determine the carbon footprint of disposable diapers.
That aside, companies also use harmful chemicals to manufacture disposable diapers, from the dyes to the perfumes. They use dangerous compounds like toluene, phthalates, dipentene, and ethylbenzene, which are released into the atmosphere.
This goes to show that the high carbon footprint of disposable diapers mostly comes from the manufacturing process. The EU estimates about 89 grams of carbon from the raw materials in a single disposable diaper.5
Carbon Footprint of Packaging
The plastic carbon footprint during the manufacture, packaging, and use of diapers is alarming. You already know the negative impacts of having plastics in the environment, now imagine it being used not only for manufacturing but also for packaging, then later, ending up in landfills.
Since the plastic used is not biodegradable, you have to account for the carbon footprint of packaging because plastics contribute to 3.4% of the total global emissions.9
Carbon Footprint of Transportation
After manufacturing and packaging, the next step is for the diapers to reach the end user or the buyers. They have to move from the manufacturer to the stores.
You should know that shipping and flights account for as much as 4% of emissions,1 and it is made worse by the fact that they are disposable products, which means that there is a high demand to have them replaced, so they are constantly being shipped, both locally and internationally.
Carbon Footprint of Disposal
Immediately after usage, the nappies have to be disposed of, and what does that mean? Diapers in landfills.
They take up a lot of space, and since they sit there for hundreds of years, it implies they release methane into the air, which is a more powerful GHG than CO2. It could take about 500 years before the plastic and other materials in the diaper fully decompose.
So, unless you learn how to dispose diapers effectively, there are serious consequences this could have on the environment and, of course, your health.
What Are Diapers Made Of? Where Does Disposable Diapers Come From?
Disposable diapers became readily available in the 1960s, made especially for the comfort of babies and convenience for parents. You can’t help but wonder how are disposable diapers made?
Over the decades, their manufacture has improved, all thanks to better technology and the use of new materials. The current diapers are lightweight, slim, and of better performance.
But with that comes some disadvantages, the fact that there are more chemicals being used. The use of petroleum and plastic products is the main reason why there is a high carbon footprint of disposable diapers; the manufacturing stage accounts for the majority of the diaper’s emissions.
The raw materials used to make diapers include:
- Polypropylene: For making the top sheet that comes in contact with the baby’s skin.
- Polyethylene: For making the back sheet.
- Cellulose pulp: This is the absorbent material in the diaper’s main fabric.
- Absorbent polymer:6 The super absorbent core of the diaper.
- Elastics: For the edges along the diaper.
- Adhesives: For bonding the various diaper parts and materials together.
Cloth Diapers vs Disposable Diapers: Is the Carbon Footprint of Disposable Diapers Lower?
After learning about the carbon footprint of disposable diapers and the factors that contribute to it, it may seem that reusable nappies are obviously more eco-friendly. But experts would state otherwise; it is more complex than that.
There is an ongoing debate about disposable nappies vs. cloth diapers/ reusable ones. While many consumers would go for the disposable ones for their convenience, there is the matter of environmental impact.
But that is not to say that the cloth nappies are perfectly safe. Cloth nappies win in matters of sustainability but consider the manufacturing process and laundering.
Being made of cotton means that the plant has to be watered and cared for, then harvested and taken to the factory for processing.
(Image: Šárka Hyková10)
The manufacture and transportation to the final consumer also has a high carbon footprint. That aside, being reusable also implies that you have to wash it.
The laundering of these clothes will cost you and means using a lot of water. Taking the water used from the growth of the cotton to the washing of the nappies, it is no wonder reusable diapers use up twice as much as disposable ones.2
The two products both have a negative impact on the environment, but as for the question, are cloth diapers better for the environment? Yes, they are, but they still have a high carbon footprint.
Do Biodegradable Diapers Exist?
You must have heard about biodegradable diapers being advertised as an effective solution to help reduce the environmental impact of nappies. While that would be welcome news for parents, it is unfortunate that most single-use diapers are non-biodegradable.
Something being biodegradable means that it is purely made up of natural materials that end up fully breaking down and returning to the soil after disposal.
Sadly, most disposable diapers are not fully degradable, despite it being indicated. The main component of disposable diapers is plastic, which is not biodegradable.
There are so many petroleum-based synthetic chemicals involved in the manufacture that make diapers harmful to the environment. They are not recyclable and take hundreds of years to decompose.
Most claims of eco-friendly disposable diapers in some cases are ‘greenwashing’ by companies to boost sales,7 so be careful when buying.
What Are the Effects of Expired Diapers?
Have you ever wondered whether diapers expire? It is a common question from parents if they want to hand down unused ones or want to gift or donate old ones.
Are they safe for use? Or do you have to dispose of them after a certain period of time?
There is good news. Diapers do not really have an expiry date where they will be rendered unusable or unsafe.
Manufacturers recommend that you use them within two years, but they don’t really expire after that, there is just one thing; staying shelved for a while has an effect on their performance and appearance.
After a while, the bright white color starts turning yellowish due to the exposure of paper to the air, and the elastics get loose, so won’t hold as well around the body. Most importantly, the super absorbent properties that the diaper is known for become an issue.
The materials start breaking down, causing leaks, which makes the diaper less effective. To avoid such problems, avoid overbuying disposable diapers and make sure that you store the ones you already have properly, away from extreme heat and high humidity.
Is There an Effective Diaper Alternative?
The carbon footprint of disposable diapers is huge, imagine tossing thousands for a single child. There is a serious need for alternatives, not just for the environment but also considering the cost that is involved in purchasing them.
Although they win when it comes to ease of use and convenience, you should also account for the impact that they have on the environment.
Below are a few eco-friendly options that make amazing alternatives:
- Using reusable cloth diapers: In comparison to disposable diapers, reusable ones are better for the environment. As much as they don’t exactly have zero emissions, they are friendlier for the environment because plastics are not involved, and they ease the pressure off landfills.
Just make sure that you buy brands made of organic cotton and bamboo.3 - Using diapers made of biodegradable materials: Although diapers are not fully biodegradable, there are brands that are true to their word and use plant-based materials. You can do careful research to make sure that you only buy from reputable and trustworthy brands that achieve recognized standards.
- Using elimination communication: The more a child uses diapers, the more you have to buy and the worse it is for the environment.8 One way to effectively handle this is by doing away with the need for diapers in the first place.
Elimination communication involves using the child’s cues to help potty train them earlier on, so they won’t need to use diapers.
Diapers are basic needs for parents. They come in handy for the hygiene and health of the baby and are a must-have, whether you are going for disposable or reusable ones.
But unfortunately, there are devastating environmental effects associated with them. They are manufactured using petroleum products and plastic materials that have a high carbon footprint.
There are also harmful chemicals incorporated to give the diaper its high-performance features.
Using a carbon emissions calculator, it is clear that the thousands of disposable diapers from a single child negatively affect the environment. Ending up in landfills after use means the release of methane into the air, and it is made even worse by the fact that it takes hundreds of years to break down.
The carbon footprint of disposable diapers and reusable ones means that something has to be done in matters of redesigning the product.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Footprint of Disposable Diapers
What Is the Carbon Footprint of Disposable Diapers?
A baby uses around 3,000-5,000 disposable diapers before turning three years old, and that leads to a high level of carbon emission. This is why there is an emphasis on the use of reusable diapers, or if not, those made of organic materials or, better yet, early potty training.
How Long Does It Take a Diaper To Decompose?
It is estimated that a single diaper takes hundreds of years to decompose, no thanks to the plastic and petroleum products that don’t easily break down. It could be as many as 500 years before a diaper fully decomposes unless it is made up of organic biodegradable materials like hemp and cotton, which take more than ten times less time, fully breaking down in less than 50 years.
Are Diapers Recyclable?
In most cases, diapers are created to end up incinerated or in landfills due to the nature of the materials used for their manufacture. Disposable diapers contain components like plastics and paper, which, in the end, are contaminated by human waste, which makes the attempts to recycle the materials even harder.
Learn More About Carbon Footprint of Disposable Diapers
2023 Plastic Carbon Footprint: Official Emissions Numbers + Calculator
Carbon Footprint of Paper vs Plastic vs Glass vs Cardboard (Calculator)
Carbon Footprint of Imported Food: Emissions Importing Food by Miles, Area
Carbon Footprint of iPhone by Type (Footprint of Charging vs Making Phone)
Carbon Footprint of Packaging: Calculate Packaging Footprint for Food, Products
Carbon Footprint of Steel Per kg & lb (Calculator & Full List of Steel Items)
References
1Stacker. (2021, December 3). The environmental impact of disposable diapers. KESQ. Retrieved December 30, 2023, from <https://kesq.com/stacker-science/2021/12/03/the-environmental-impact-of-disposable-diapers/>
2Goldberg, G. (2012, October). Don’t Pooh-Pooh My Diaper Choice: Essential Answer. STANFORD magazine. Retrieved December 30, 2023, from <https://stanfordmag.org/contents/don-t-pooh-pooh-my-diaper-choice-essential-answer>
3Okafor, J., & Jana, L. A. (2021, July 18). Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers (or Nappies) – Environmental Impacts. TRVST. Retrieved December 30, 2023, from <https://www.trvst.world/sustainable-living/eco-friendly/cloth-vs-disposable-diapers/>
4Bambino Mio. (2023, July 12). What Happens to Disposable Nappies After You Throw Them Away? Bambino Mio. Retrieved December 30, 2023, from <https://www.bambinomio.com/blogs/the-changing-room/what-happens-to-disposable-nappies-after-you-throw-them-away>
5Schlesinger, W. H. (2020, December 7). Diapers: to change or not to change. Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from <https://blogs.nicholas.duke.edu/citizenscientist/diapers-to-change-or-not-to-change>
6Pytlik, E., Molino, D., & Moritz, J. (2024). Superabsorbent Polymers. University at Buffalo. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from <http://wwwcourses.sens.buffalo.edu/ce435/Diapers/Diapers.html>
7Michigan Chemical Engineering. (2018, October 3). Compostable diapers are the aim of new sustainability startup. University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from <https://che.engin.umich.edu/2018/10/03/compostable-diapers-are-the-aim-of-new-sustainability-startup/>
8The Financial Times Limited. (2021, July 3). Carbon counter/nappies: it all comes out in the wash. The Financial Times. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from <https://www-ft-com.ezp-prod1.hul.harvard.edu/content/0ddc62cd-67c3-491f-a121-3e8e58bdaef5>
9United Nations Environment Programme. (2023, April 25). Everything you need to know about plastic pollution. UN Environment Programme. Retrieved February 2, 2024, from <https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/story/everything-you-need-know-about-plastic-pollution>
10Cloth diapers vs nappies Photo by Šárka Hyková. (2023, September 29) / Unsplash License. Resized and Changed Format. Unsplash. Retrieved February 28, 2024, from <https://unsplash.com/photos/a-stack-of-diapers-sitting-on-top-of-a-lush-green-field-TgVsbTe_-Bk>