Michigan
State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500580
06/24/03
Disposable Diaper Dilemma
Report conclusion
The specific health, environmental, and economic advantages of
disposable diaper products appear to outweigh the more limited
advantages of the reusable diaper products.
Background
Products with short life spans have recently come under scrutiny
because of their solid waste disposal.
Key findings
As a result of analysis, disposable diapers offer distinguishable
health and economic advantages over their reusable counterparts. In
particular, they offer better protection against diaper dermatitis
(diaper rash), while also decreasing the potential spread of infection
in day care settings. These benefits are achieved at a lower weekly
cost compared to cloth diapers. ln terms of environmental
considerations, neither disposable nor reusable diapers is clearly
superior.
Health impacts
For protection from infection in the home, day care, or other
environments, disposable diapers result in reduced opportunities for
exposure as compared to reusable diapers. Disposable diapers that
incorporate absorbent gelling materials offer better protection from
dermatitis (diaper rash) than do other brands of disposable diapers or
home-laundered reusable diapers. Studies indicate that the presence of
soiled diapers in the solid waste stream does not cause a public health
problem.
Economic issues
Disposable diapers are generally less costly on a life cycle basis than
their reusable counterparts. Reusable diapers can provide an economic
advantage when the cost of labor for home laundering is not considered.
Resource and environmental impacts
Disposable diaper manufacture and use consumes more raw materials than
cloth diapers and results in the generation of more post-consumer solid
waste. Reusable diaper manufacture and use generates more process solid
waste (e.g., wastewater treatment sludge and incinerator ash) than
disposable diapers. Reusable diaper manufacture and use consumes more
non-renewable energy resources (e.g., oil, gas, and coal) and more
renewable energy resources (e.g., wood and hydroelectric). Reusable
diaper manufacture and use consumes more water and releases higher
levels of total water pollutants. Reusable diaper manufacture and use
results in emissions of higher levels of total air pollution.
References
This information comes from Arthur D. Little, Inc., International
Management and Technology Consulting Firm, Environmental, Health and
Safety Practice, Cambridge, Massachusetts.
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