How to Help the Environment Using Cloth Diapers

The debate between cloth diapers and disposable diapers can sometimes get heated, even over the seemingly obvious issue of environmental friendliness. However, even with the advent of more biodegradable disposable diapers that use fewer materials, cloth diapers produce less waste for landfills, ensure that human waste is adequately treated and are a natural and easy way to promote environmental health with your family.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Use some of the newer types of cloth diapers with higher absorbency and Velcro fasteners. The easier your cloth diapers are to use, the more likely you'll be to successfully make the switch from disposable.
2. Help your child learn potty skills earlier by using cloth rather than disposable diapers. Disposable diapers advertise the greatest comfort for kids, but this comfort can also be a deterrent from potty training, so using cloth can actually help potty training work sooner and eliminate months of diaper waste.
3. Place human waste in the toilet to properly dispose of it when cleaning cloth diapers. Even if you're using disposables, it's a good idea to put the waste in the toilet and the diaper in the trash, because human waste that is disposed of through water treatment is safe, while human waste in a landfill can breed disease.
4. Consider using a laundry service for your diapers, because the institutional cleaning equipment is often more energy and water efficient than that designed for home use.
5. Avoid using too much detergent when washing diapers, as detergent can build up and reduce the diaper's absorbency. Less effective diapers need to be changed and washed more frequently, increasing water usage.
6. Line dry your cloth diapers when possible to reduce unnecessary energy usage and resulting greenhouse gases.