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September 26, 2008

Diapers: cloth or disposable?

DiapersIf you're expecting or just had a baby, you'll want to check out this piece from the Boston Globe that examines which is better for the environment -- disposable diapers, or cloth. The story may leave you more confused than ever, though, because it says it's far from clear that one has a better overall carbon footprint than the other.

There's a useful discussion among parents who have used both kinds of diapers here.

(Associated Press photo/Danny Johnston)

 

Posted by Kate Shatzkin at 7:51 AM | | Comments (2)
Categories: Babies and Toddlers, Expecting
        

Comments

The Boston Globe didn't add anything new to the old "which is greener" debate. I can distinctly remember reading a very similar article thirteen years ago in a parenting magazine, when I was babysitting, just starting college and was totally idealistic about saving the environment. What is a shame is that - more than a decade later - no one is any closer to an answer.

We've been using g-diapers when our little one is home (disposables for day care). G-diapers are combo cloth/disposables with an outer cloth piece, a middle plastic liner (both of these get washed when they end up soiled) and a disposable pad that is flushable (or compostable). G-diapers are more expensive than disposables, but I hope as more people begin to use them, they could come down in cost.

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About Kate Shatzkin
Kate Shatzkin is the parenting and families content editor at The Baltimore Sun and, before that, was its family beat reporter. But her most challenging and rewarding job is being mother to Leah, 8, and Sam, 6.

In her 14 years at The Baltimore Sun, Kate also has covered nonprofit organizations, prisons and courts, and has written several investigative series. She was previously a Knight journalism fellow at Yale Law School and a reporter at the Seattle Times and at the Patriot-Ledger of Quincy, Mass. She lives in Baltimore with her family.

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