When it comes to caring for your baby, every choice you make has an impact—on their health, your routine, and the planet. One simple but powerful way to reduce your environmental footprint is by choosing cloth diapers. While they may seem old-fashioned to some, cloth diapers are making a major comeback with modern, easy-to-use designs and undeniable sustainability benefits. Here are five ways cloth diapers are better for the Earth:
1. They Drastically Reduce Waste
The average baby uses around 6,000 disposable diapers in their first two years of life. That’s a lot of trash—literally! Disposable diapers are one of the largest contributors to household waste and can take hundreds of years to decompose in a landfill. Cloth diapers, on the other hand, are reusable. Whether you’re washing at home or using a service, choosing cloth prevents thousands of diapers from ending up in the trash.
2. They Use Fewer Raw Materials
Manufacturing disposable diapers requires significant resources—plastic, pulp from trees, and chemicals that are used only once. Cloth diapers are made from materials like cotton, bamboo, or hemp, which, although still requiring resources to produce, are used again and again over their lifespan. Many cloth diaper brands even prioritize organic and sustainably-sourced materials, making their impact even lower.
3. They Can Be Used for Multiple Children
Unlike disposables, cloth diapers aren’t single-use. A quality stash of cloth diapers can be reused for multiple children, multiplying the environmental savings with every baby. Many families pass down cloth diapers to siblings, friends, or donate them, extending their life far beyond what a pack of disposables could ever offer. In a service, cloth diapers can be shared between families and used for many, many years. It allows for less diapers to be manufactured overall than if every family had their own set of cloth diapers.
4. They Avoid Toxic Chemicals and Microplastics
Disposable diapers often contain synthetic chemicals, gels, and plastics that can leach into the environment. Cloth diapers skip the superabsorbent polymers and plastic linings in favor of natural, biodegradable materials. That’s not only better for baby’s skin—it’s also better for waterways and ecosystems that are impacted by microplastic pollution.
5. They Support a Circular Economy
Many cloth diaper services, like Green Diaper Babies, offer options that support a circular, low-waste system. Diapers are professionally cleaned and reused, packaging is minimized, and even accessories like wipes and liners are reusable or compostable. By participating in this kind of system, you’re helping to reduce consumption and support sustainable business practices.
A Simple Switch with a Lasting Impact
Choosing cloth diapers is one of those rare parenting decisions that benefits both your baby and the planet. By opting for reusable over disposable, you’re helping reduce landfill waste, save natural resources, and promote healthier practices for the environment. And with today’s modern cloth options, it’s easier than ever.
Every diaper counts—and when you go cloth, so does your impact.