Nobody makes eco-disposable diapers in the U.S. — Seventh Generation diapers come close, but according to a company representative, they are not fully biodegradable. The trouble is the outer liner of disposables is always some kind of plastic. The only commercially available, fully biodegradable, disposable diaper is the Swedish "Nature Boy & Girl" diaper which, instead of a using plastic liner, uses a GM free corn starch-based film. This means the diapers are compostable — they are sold online at Nurture Center.
There are also several brands of non-fully biodegradable, eco-disposable diapers available from Europe, such as Tushies, Moltex and Bambo.
Moltex are bleach free, with no lotions, perfumes or deodorants, and Tushies are a gel-free disposable with a cotton and wood pulp padding of high natural absorbency and again, no perfumes or lotions. Bambo is the new and more affordable eco-disposable diaper (pictured here) — a pack of 30 costs about £4.59 ($8.60). Bambo diapers have a starch based absorbent core (less gel), they are oxygen bleached, free from lotions and perfumes, have latex free waist band and cuffs, and have a Nordic Swan eco certification. They are available from Beaming Baby.
If you want to be truly metaefficient, you should use reusable nappies (diapers for the US readership). Even with the extra washing required, the net resource use is much lower, and they end up being a lot cheaper too.
The only problem with completely biodegradable disposables is that they cannot be thrown away in a normal landfill. To biodegrade, they need air, and once they get squished into a big pile in a landfill, air would be pretty hard to come by.
I wouldn’t use cloth diapers in Maryland (US), since we tend to have droughts during the summer.
Droughts when people water their lawns twice as much, at least here across the river in Alexandria. I wouldn’t use disposables anywhere, believe or not, they stink compared to the cloths!
Metaefficient
Oh me oh my. I found the greatest website. http://www.metaefficient.com This is a geek girl (or guy)’s wet dream come true. It is “a Guide to the Most Efficient Things in the World”, which means products that are often times…
Actually Baby Naturecare diapers are too.
Moltex Oko diapers are coming soon to the USA exclusively through http://www.shoptootles.com.
This is a great idea. It will help keep this planet green. Go Green.
Bambo Nature is a great choice if you are looking for a greener baby diaper. Bambo Has been awarded the Nordic Swan, eco-label, and is recognozed around europe as the best choice for diapering. Take a look at http://www.Bambo-Nature.com for information..