There is the ever lasting debate over whether cloth diapers are greener than disposable diapers. After reviewing the study done by a UK government environment Agency in 2005, they have published that niether is better than the other. Cloth diapers use more water, energy and detergents to clean them, where as the disposable diapers add on to the solid wastes ending up in landfills. I personally think disposable diapers are convenient and a new parents best friend, but cloth diapers are reusable and you can use a bio-degradable detergent to wash them. In some third world countries, they don’t even have disposable diapers available and all they use are cloth diapers. So if you have the time and energy to use cloth diapers, do use them. I definitely believe in the long run, they are greener than disposable diapers. If your not one of them, and want to use a disposable diaper, read on and learn that Huggies is trying to become more green.

Landfills and Waste Managment

Yes, disposable diapers are ending up in our landfills nationwide, but according to the US EPA, diapers only account for 1.5% of the solid waste in the landfills. Eventhough, it is such a small percentage, Huggies has been trying to improve their diapers by reducing the weight and material in each diaper without compromising performance. This means there is less space being taken up in trucks that deliver them to the store, and less in our landfills, but most of all babies feel more comfort.

You might think a bio-degradable diaper might be better, but only if they end up in a place where there is air and water to decompose it. Most landfills have air and water restricted to the area and sealed from the environment. They are buried and their methane gas is captured to generate energy. Huggies uses this energy in one of their facilities.

Future

Huggies has been researching on making their diapers better without adding material but actually subtracting. There is an on-going effort to reduce the energy  spent on producing diapers and reduce their release of Carbon Dioxide.

They are taking steps to getting only Natural sustainable wood pulp for their diapers. Suppliers are encouraged to practice sustainable forest management and are certified their forests and fiber.

Step by step, the next generation will become to be know as the green generation. From the diapers they wear, we are setting up the next generation to be more conscience and aware of where everything comes and ends up at.