blog action day :: disposable vs. reusable

I can't remember when or where I first heard about blog action day, but I remember thinking that it would be incredibly interesting to see so many people post about something as essential to all of our lives as the environment. And with such a broad spectrum of current environmental issues, it's an overhwelming task to find just one topic to post about. So while I'm not intending to turn the dotted line into a blog exclusively about pregnancy and our first steps into parenthood, these are things that are undeniably and unavoidably on my mind all-of-the-time and they influence my thoughts on so many different issues in ways that I never imagined possible. The state of our planet is no different and to be honest, it is something that I've been thinking about a lot these days :: trying to make environmentally-conscious decisions has become a very relevant part of getting ready for littleone to enter our lives and it has taken on an importance that can only be explained by wanting to preserve what is left, for her and all the other littleones out there. I can't help but feel sad that whenever we walk on the beach, we come home with thick patches of tar and oil all over our feet and legs, undoubtedly coming from the oil rigs in the distance. And I don't want to go into detail about the dead dolphin we came across, since I can obviously make no claim about the cause of death, but it was a stark and extremely visual reminder of the lives that are lost due to an unhealthly environment.

I realize that I'm being totally hypocritical because I know I could do more than just recycle and walk everywhere, and admittedly, there are a lot of environmental issues that I'm unaware of and have not actively tried to educate myself about. However, I am of the mind-set that each little action counts and while I may not be perfect, I am going to try, try to be a little more aware and a little more willing to change. Which brings me to the environmentally-conscious | parenting decision that we are currently contemplating :: reusable vs. disposable diapers {or nappies, as the scottish in me prefers to call them}.

Apologies to all those of you for whom this is irrelevant - you don't have to keep reading this incredibly long post! I *promise* to have a finished knit to show you sometime very soon, as well as a new project or two...with colour...so be sure to come back :) Until then, check out whipup's crafty contribution to blog action day.

This, like so many other environmental issues, is perhaps a little controversial and I am fully supportive of the idea that it is also a very personal decision based on many different factors {cost and convenience to name but a few}. I'm not intending to start a debate about the merits of each :: I just think it may be helpful for other soon-to-be parents contemplating disposables vs. reusables to share some of the resources that I've come across so far and the different options available...spreading awareness, so to speak. And to be completely honest, we are still extremely confused about which route we will take, so any advice, about any of the options available, will be very welcome. And while I'm being honest, when I first considered the use of cloth nappies {when my nephew, Luca, was born last October}, it was not the environmental impact that struck me, but rather the softness of the nappy that the hospital had provided for him.

THE FITTED
totsbots {UK-based or shop online}
+ cotton, organic cotton, microfibre and bamboo fitted diapers, worn with a flushable liner and a waterproof wrap
+ our reusable choice - both the micro-fibre and bamboo versions are naturally anti-bacterial and much more absorbent than cotton, as well as being incredibly soft - bamboo is an eco-friendly material that grows naturally without the need for chemical pesticides or fertilizer, is highly sustainable, easily cultivated and completely biodegradable - microfibre dries very quickly and negates the need for using the dryer - a little concerned about the sheer number we will need, the laundry that will be generated and the high inital cost

THE HYBRID
gdiapers {available at whole foods or shop online}
+ the 'hybrid' - a breathable cloth diaper with disposable, bio-degradable, plastic-free inserts that can be flushed, composted or tossed
+ for an interesting comparision of dispoables | reusables | hybrids and some environmental statistics, see the great debate
+ our alternate option - eco-friendly, convenient and generate limited laundry {less power, less water}, however the inserts are more expensive than disposables

THE PREFOLD
bummis {see site for list of retailers}
+ cotton prefolds and nylon covers, as well as a one-size, all-in-one

THE ALL-IN-ONE
motherease {see site for ordering information}
+ cotton prefold diapers, fitted diapers, covers, liners, all-in-ones and one-size-fits-all
+ cost analysis and sample calculations

THE FOLD-YOUR-OWN
mothercare {UK based}
+ carry all supplies required for folding your own diapers

OTHERS
smart nappy system {similar to gdiapers}, kushies, bambino mio

I haven't included a section about different brands of disposables as many seem to be quite similar in price and functionality, although there are chlorine-free diapers on the market which may have a lower environmental impact.

Some other considerations...
+ using a diaper service vs. laundering on your own
+ is laundering 7000 cloth diapers over the first two years of a child's like actually less harmful to the environment than adding 7000 diapers to a landfil?
+ some regional councils in the UK have started incentive programs for switching to reusables and may even provide a partial reimbursement of costs
+ this one seems a little daunting to me, but what about going diaper-free with the use of elimination communication?
+ make your own cloth diapers {my sister/mother-in-law did this and they turned out really well}

Comments

[Ruthie]

I love the look of gDiapers! It never ceases to amaze me what people come up with these days. Thanks for posting this lot it gives me so many options.

Um, I don't suppose you would be interested in a link exchange? I've been visiting your site for a while now and I really like it. :)

[Rebecca]

Personally I would try the nappy service first to see how you and your baby get on with reusables.

I have a few friends who bought the whole kit and then found for one reason or another it didn't suit them.

As far as the elimination method goes - I am not that brave!

[Kate]

I use cloth nappies with my twins - I don't soak or use nappisan (bleach) - I got lots of info here
http://www.allaboutnappies.com/.
I fold my own, but totsbots pilchers are the best. It really isn't that hard work - a load in the washing machine every few day, you just need a bucket with a good lid. And you get used to it pretty quickly. I'll admit I use disposables when I am out of the house of a long time.
Good luck with your decision.

[marya]

Your research on the subject is admirable. I've used a cloth diaper service for the last year and it has worked out really well. The Bummi Originals are my fave. I've heard the G-diaper leaks sometimes and I think would be costly and diapers aren't really supposed to look that good anyways (& usually don't).

I really like your blog and wish you all the best!

[di]

I think the cloth vs disposable debate from an environmental perspective comes down to whether you want to create water waste or solid waste.
For us, we use an eco friendly disposable- Bambo Nature- ordered online from Nordic Nappies and delivered to our door. They fit our son well, are close to 100% biodegradable, and aren't chlorine bleached or full of fragrances etc.
I have a friend who was really keen on using a cloth reusable with flushable liner (can't recall the brand name) and had also been given a full kit of shaped cloth nappies (again, sorry don't know the brand) but found that neither of those really worked for them. They had fit issues and laundering issues (living in a small apartment with no hanging space).

[Ulli]

i used for my little one the first year dydee diaperservice, which i loved especial for the first 4 month. by than i started "under the nile" fitted diapers for the night with handknit soakers over it. worked like a charm. when miya hit a year she got very activ and the clothdiapers could not hold up with that. so i changed during the day to fitted diapers too. she is 2 now and in training panties! where did the time go?