Did you know that plastic, disposable diapers are the third most significant source of household waste in the U.S. alone? On top of that, 3 billion diapers are disposed of in the UK every year.
The thing with commercial disposable diapers is that they don’t decompose, and they simply lie on our landfills for hundreds of years before they eventually do.
Plenty of businesses have developed some great alternatives, such as GroVia, and their cloth nappies. These are way more environmentally friendly than regular diapers; there’s no arguing that. But, if you consider the number of laundry loads, time and effort these require, many parents shy away from cloth diapers – and for a good reason.
If you decide to go for cloth diapers, after all, that’s great! But if you’re interested in reading about some of the best biodegradable disposable diapers without the hassle, then keep reading on!
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Best Eco-Friendly Disposable Diaper: Andy Pandy Premium Bamboo Disposable Diapers
Babies commonly suffer from uncomfortable diaper rash, which is usually caused by irritation from the diaper’s material.
This is where the Andy Pandy Bamboo Diaper brand comes in. This diaper brand was created by a family from Michigan, who wanted to find the best solution for the common diaper rash in the form of these biodegradable bamboo diapers.
The Andy Pandy diapers are toxin and chemical-free; they contain no perfumes or alcohol, latex, chlorine, or anything else that’s found in plastic disposables. There’s a top, bamboo sheet within the diaper, which is both hypoallergenic and comfortable for the baby to wear; plus, it also contains aloe vera – which extra soothing.
The diaper’s fluff is also made of perforated 100 percent bamboo fiber and Sumitomo super-absorbent polymer (SAP). This makes the diaper about 87% biodegradable. If it weren’t for the diaper’s SAP, adhesive, and elastic – they’d be 100 percent biodegradable!
Another cool feature for parents is the diaper’s wetness indicator strip which lets them know when it’s time to change it.
If you decide to go for this brand, not only will you be helping the environment, you’ll also be supporting a company which donates a portion of their profits to great causes like the Eden Reforestation Project and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Eco-Friendly Overnight Diaper: The Honest Company Overnight Diapers
Overnight diapers have to be absorbent and gentle enough, so there are no accidents by the morning, especially if your little one tends to sleep through the night quite well.
The Honest Company Overnight diapers are fit for the job!
They are designed using extra-absorbent materials, and the core is created out of chlorine-free cellulose pulp and wheat starch, blended with sodium polyacrylate.
On the downside, the diapers aren’t as biodegradable as the other ones on our list. Initially, back in 2018, the brand used more sustainable and natural materials; however, they have switched to more petroleum-based plastics. We are guessing it’s because they want to increase the diaper’s absorbency.
Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Eco-Friendly Swim Diaper: Little Toes Natural Disposable Swimmy Diapers
If you like to bring your baby for regular swims, then you’ll need a diaper brand that’s up for the job.
The Little Toes Natural Disposable diapers are designed for little swimmers, which are waterproof and prevent any accidents from occurring while in the pool. I like that these diapers are sustainably produced and non-toxic – so no nasty chemicals will come in contact with your baby’s skin.
The diapers are also easy to pull up and down, and the sides can be torn away during changing, as well.
Even if the diaper isn’t the most biodegradable alternative, it’s still a lot more natural than most disposable brands.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Eco-Friendly Diaper For Sensitive Skin: Eco Boom Bamboo Diaper
Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials out there. So we definitely think that bamboo diapers are a good idea. Not only are bamboo diapers sustainable, but they are also hypoallergenic – which means they won’t irritate your baby’s skin.
The Eco Boom Bamboo diapers are perfect for sensitive skin, and their diapers are free from PCV, chlorine, alcohol, TBT, latex, and other chemicals and preservatives. Plus, the top sheet is ultra-soft since it’s made out of both cotton and bamboo. The back sheet is also made out of bamboo, and it allows the air to circulate better – preventing diaper rash.
On top of that, the diapers are super absorbent, making them effective to use overnight, and they are also 70 percent biodegradable after 150 days, which is a great start!
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Budget Biodegradable Diaper: Earth + Eden Baby Diapers
For those of you on a budget, you might like the Earth + Eden Baby Diapers.
The brand might not be entirely biodegradable, but they are a great affordable alternative that still cuts back on the toxins and chemicals that come with commercial disposable diapers.
Earth + Eden diapers are entirely cruelty-free and the diapers are manufactured in a “zero-waste to landfill” facility. The diaper’s core is made up of bend of ECF cotton and bamboo fluff, free from additives, perfumes, or lotions.
The non-biodegradable part is the diaper’s inner lining, which is made out of nonwoven polypropylene. Additionally, the petroleum-derived sodium polyacrylate is also non-biodegradable – this is the absorbing material within the diaper.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Subscription Eco-Friendly Diaper: DYPER Bamboo Baby Diapers
Forgot to pick up the diapers again? Well with the subscription service DYPER Bamboo baby diapers, you won’t even have to remember!
These diapers are also one of the more affordable subscription service alternatives, and they are super absorbent.
While they aren’t the most biodegradable brand, DRYER claims that you can compost these diapers at home. However, keep in mind that the elastic and leg cuffs are made out of polyethylene and polylactic acid thermoplastic, which require more specific conditions to biodegrade.
Additionally, the diapers are very gentle on the baby’s skin, and they don’t contain any harsh toxins like chlorine, perfumes, alcohol, PVC, and much more. The top and back of the diaper are made out of sustainably produced bamboo, which is an incredible renewable resource, and it’s hypoallergenic, too!
If you find yourself running out of diapers quicker than normal, you can also request an “SOS” delivery to receive an extra week’s worth of supply – without the additional charge.
Last update on 2024-04-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What Makes a Diaper Good Stuff?
Hopefully, you can walk away knowing what type of diapers are best for your baby and why. While we have come up with a few sustainable and chemical-free alternatives, understand that the market is saturated with other “biodegradable” and green choices. Here are a few things you should look out for when purchasing diapers:
- No artificial chemicals: For a diaper to be considered “Good Stuff,” it shouldn’t contain any nasty toxins like alcohol, lotions, chlorine, and more. These aren’t necessary and do more harm than good.
- No phthalates: The diaper shouldn’t have any phthalates either since they’re also toxic and unnecessary.
Have you ever used biodegradable diapers for your baby before? What did you think of our best choices? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and thanks for reading!
Anna Miller is a content manager at TrashBackwards. She’s passionate about living a zero-waste lifestyle. Anna has been writing about eco-friendly tips for years now, and she’s got some great ideas on how you can go plastic-free! She loves sharing her knowledge about eco-lifestyle with others. Her articles are always witty and insightful! Shoot her a message if you’ve got any questions about how you can start going green.
