22 Earth Day Inspired Facts About Diapering

Diapers happen every day, but Earth Day gives us a chance to pause and take a look at the damage disposable diapers can cause to the environment. Here are 22 Earth Day inspired facts about diapering.

1. One baby uses over 6,000 diapers before potty training.
2. Disposable diapers add significantly to your weekly garbage totals.
   With disposable diapers, your weekly garbage can increase by approximately 13 gallons. Depending on your municipality this could increase your utility cost.
3. In the U.S. alone, we put around 20 billion disposable diapers into the landfills each year (that's more than 38,000 every minute!)
4. Disposable diapers account for roughly 2–4% of all landfill waste in the U.S.
5. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that single-use diapers are the third most common consumer item in landfills in the USA. (Source: Nature.com)

6. Once in a landfill, disposable diapers can take up to 500 years to decompose.
   Because they contain plastic and chemical components, disposable diapers don’t break down easily or quickly.
7. Disposable diapers generate methane as they decompose in a landfill.
   The decomposition of a diaper’s organic components, such as human waste and wood pulp, under anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions causes anaerobic bacteria to break down the organic matter, producing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, as a byproduct. (Source: ScienceDirect.com)
8. Most disposables are made from non-renewable petroleum-based plastics.
   These plastics take energy to produce and release toxins when incinerated or degraded. (Source: ScienceDirect.com)
9. Most disposable diaper packaging is non-recyclable.
   That means even the wrappers and boxes add to the landfill burden.
10. Some plant-based diapers can be turned into nutrient-rich material.
    No diaper can be placed in a compost bin. We partner with a composting facility that processes used diapers at a very high temperature into nutrient-rich soil. In addition, thanks to a grant from the Washington Department of Commerce, Diaper Stork is testing an innovative solution to turn diaper waste into nutrient-rich material called biochar, offering another circular solution.

11. After the introduction of the disposable diaper, the average age of potty training doubled!
    Before Pampers developed the disposable diaper in 1962, the vast majority of infants and toddlers were potty trained by 18 months.
12. Most babies stay in diapers for 2.5 to 3 years, but earlier potty training can shorten that timeline.
    Diapering is one of the longest routines in early parenthood, but introducing potty habits early can reduce diaper use, save money, and lessen environmental impact. Every month out of diapers makes a difference for your family and the planet.
13. Potty training can be accelerated by leveraging “Elimination Communication.”
    Babies are born ready to eliminate away from their bodies, which is why they signal, fuss and cry BEFORE they need a diaper change.
14. Diapering choices can influence potty training.
    Babies potty train up to 12 months earlier when diapered in cloth vs. disposable. That could mean more than 2,500 diaper changes that you don't have to do.
15. Cloth diapering is recession proof and tariff proof.
    Using cloth diapers, even as a secondary method or backup, eliminates the stress of disposable diaper supply in stores, or sudden rises in prices due to external economic factors.

16. Switching to cloth diapers can make a significant impact on the environment.
    Every 6 months we delay potty training means 600 more diapers used. That translates to 335 gallons of trash.
17. Reusable cloth wipes can eliminate a significant amount of waste as well.
    If you’re changing 6,000 diapers, imagine how many wipes that could be. Cloth wipes such as OsoCozy are good for the environment, a cost-effective alternative to disposable wipes, gentle on skin and easy to clean.
18. Washing cloth diapers at home uses less water than manufacturing disposable diapers.
    Typically, washing at home only adds another 2-3 wash cycles per week. But it takes nearly twice that amount of water to produce and transport the 6,000 or more disposables a single baby will use, making cloth the more water-efficient choice over time.
19. Diaper rash isn’t more common with cloth diapers.
    In fact, many parents report fewer rashes due to less exposure to chemicals.
20. Diaper deliveries can be more efficient than individual store trips.
    By combining customer stops into optimized routes, delivery services cut down on car trips, traffic emissions, and fuel use. Fewer errands. Less pollution. More time at home with your baby.

21. Using a diaper service reduces overall water usage compared to home laundering.
    Professional services optimize loads and water usage.
22. Seattle families have access to eco-diapering resources.
    Diaper Stork supports a variety of greener diapering choices, including cloth and compostable services.

This Earth Day, remember that every diapering choice adds up, and you can make a meaningful impact. Diaper Stork makes it easy to customize a guilt-free diapering routine that fits your family, with cloth diaper service, compostable pick-up and delivery, or a thoughtful combination of both.

If you have more questions about the environmental impact of your diaper choices, contact one of our Diaper Stork experts. And make sure to check out this list of Earth Day events near you. Happy Earth Day!