What the Experts Say

You can use soft cotton one diapers from BDS without pins! Just order velcro covers from our store.
Cloth Diaper Benefits

We take alot of pride in the service we provide for our Western Washington community! Our service has indeed has been around since 1946, so we've had quite a long time to find the best washing processes, and the most efficient and energy/water saving ways to provide a cloth diaper service. Cloth is definitely the obvious choice for the environment, on a daily basis we keep approximately 8,000 pounds of disposable diaper waste out of our local landfills!

We use local companies with sustainable products from our all-natural biodegradable earth-friendly washing formula to the local import company that we purchase our 100% cotton diapers from. All the products we use are safe for the most sensitive of skin, there is far less incidence of diaper rash in children using cloth over disposables. There are no harsh chemicals that will come into contact with your child's skin using cloth, and because of the newer conveniences that have been introduced, Velcro-diaper covers, Snappi Fasteners, etc. you do not have to use pins anymore, which makes using cloth even easier than most folks think!

With cloth you will also find that the actual diapering period will be much shorter as well, because of the fact that your child is allowed to feel when he/she is wet, which is a tremendous aid in potty training. Todays throw-away diapers are designed to pull moisture away from the skin and essentially keep your child in diapers for a longer period of time. We see that our kids usually potty train 6 months to a year sooner than those using disposables. This is a huge benefit for our parents, our service costs the same week to week as it would to use disposables, however because your child will potty train much sooner - in the long run using cloth will definitely cut the cost of diapering and save you time & money!


Diaper Studies
THE TRUTH
(ABOUT "DISPOSABLE" DIAPERS)
by Susan Verver, CA

Finally! It is agreed by all objective sources that "disposable" diapers are the WORST environmental choice. These objective sources include Environment Canada, The Recycling Councils of Ontario and B.C., the BC Medical Association, The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC), The World-wide Home Environmentalists' Network (WHEN), The David Suzuki Foundation, the provincial governments of B.C. and Manitoba (who have both imposed a green tax on "disposable" diapers in the form of PST), and many other organizations.

Why do all these organizations promote the use of cloth diapers over "disposables"? They have no financial interest in the matter. They are, in fact, only interested in THE TRUTH. These groups are interested in improving the environment for the benefit of living things and future generations of living things. This is a very noble, real and true pursuit. Why would they deceive or misinform us?
Answer: They wouldn't!

So then, why is there so much confusion about this issue? Well, in 1989, in response to a major trend of consumers switching to cloth diapers, Proctor & Gamble decided to launch a multi-million dollar international advertising campaign. It was designed to cloud the issues and relieve the guilt of "disposable" diaper users. This campaign was wildly successful. Even though P&G was found guilty of false and misleading advertising as a result, they did regain their market share as misinformed consumers returned to "disposables" in droves.

P&G has stopped most of this very dubious advertising now, and consumers are now starting to learn that they were misled, especially as they realize that the objective environmental groups still insist that "disposables" are BY FAR the worst environmental choice in diapers. David Suzuki wrote to BC's Minister of Environment in March, 1994 saying that, "In my view, . . . ("disposable" diapers) are an eco-obscenity - they have no real justification save profit (of corporations)."





SUGGESTED READING:
Whitewash: Exposing the Health and Environmental Dangers of Women's Sanitary products and Disposable Diapers by Liz Armstrong and Adrienne Scott.
Soap Opera - The Inside Story of Proctor & Gamble by Alecia Swasy of the Wall Street Journal (New release from Random House)

This article compliments of Born to Love

TAKING BABY STEPS TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT

Now, more than ever, parents are becoming increasingly concerned about the impact our actions have on the environment our children will inherit. The news seems grim, and it�s easy to feel overwhelmed and powerless in the face of science laid bare. As parents, though, we are in a unique position to make positive changes that will impact the world not only in our lifetime, but also in our children�s lifetimes.
One small choice we can make that has a large impact is the decision to use cloth diapers on our children. Breathable, comfortable, and safe against baby�s skin, it is the natural choice, after all. Cotton diapers are reusable, recyclable, and ultimately have a gentler impact on the world than their �disposable� counterparts.
In addition to the natural comfort and reusability of cotton, there are some less-obvious bonuses. Children in cloth diapers tend to potty-train earlier than their disposable-wearing cohorts, which is a definite boon to diaper-weary parents. And switching to cloth diapers instead of disposables can reduce your garbage bill by half.
By using cloth diapers you�re also helping to make a dent in the 18 billion disposables that end up in American landfills each year. Those billions of disposable diapers use 3.5 billion gallons of oil to produce. In addition, they use 3.5 times more energy, 8.3 times more non-renewable materials, and produce 60 times more domestic solid waste than cotton diapers.
And, if that isn�t enough, by making the choice to use cotton diapers you help to prevent one ton of non-biodegradable waste from ever reaching a landfill. Considering that a single disposable diaper can take up to 500 years to decompose, this is a gift that will last far into your child�s future.
Baby Diaper Service understands that parents need to do something proactive towards securing their child�s environmental future. This is why they offer an alternative, giving parents a sustainable choice they can feel good about making.
Not only do they make cloth diapering convenient, they go the extra mile to ensure the health and well-being of your child in the way they treat their diapers. Baby Diaper Service�s cotton diapers are washed using all natural-based soaps and softeners instead of harsh detergents or unnecessary chemical or bacterial rinses, so you know the diapers you put on your baby are safe and gentle on the skin.
To learn more about cloth diapers and Baby Diaper Service, or to set up service, visit the Baby Diaper Service website at www.seattlediaper.com, or call their offices during business hours, Monday through Friday, at 1-800-562-BABY or 206-634-BABY.




Anatomy of an Unhealthy Diaper

Sodium Polyacrylate Crystals Is the clear, absorbent gel that absorbs moisture in the diaper. This superabsorbent polymer (SAP) was removed from tampons for causing Toxic Shock Syndrome. To date, no studies exist as to whether sodium polyacrylate is dangerous when absorbed through baby's skin for the first 3 years of life, 24 hours a day. Additionally, SAP absorbs all moisture found on skin, including natural moisture needed to keep skin healthy. Baby skin has not developed the outer layer adults have, making baby skin more vulnerable to absorb toxins without the natural oils and mature protective layers of skin to block toxins.


Plastic barriers are used in every disposable diaper on the market, even those found in health food stores, use plastic as its barrier. Plastic doesn't breathe. It is hot. It promotes bacteria growth. Our skin is an organ that needs to breathe.
Dioxins Dioxins are the by-product of the bleaching process, and one of the planet's most hazardous poisons. They are a highly toxic carcinogen and endocrine disruptor. The archives of Disease in Childhood reports that trace amounts of dioxin are present on disposables.

No Breathability Causes Rashes, Possibly Sterility Some babies are �rashy� because air doesn�t circulate in disposables. Cloth breathes. That�s why there�s seldom a need for rash creams with cloth diapers. Also, a 2001 UK study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood suggests that infant boys who wear disposables could experience impaired fertility as adults. The researchers found that the temperature of the scrotum was almost 2� higher in disposables, this temperature increase, may negatively impact future fertility.

Very Expensive It costs an average of $3000 to diaper a child. Cloth costs a fraction of disposables and can be used by more than one child!
Chemical Stew A study published in late 1999 by Anderson Labs found that lab mice exposed to various brands of disposable diapers experienced asthma-like symptoms. Dr. Rosalind Anderson, lead author of the report, says the following chemicals were among those released from the disposables: xylene and ethylbenzene, suspected endocrine, neuro-, and respiratory toxins; styrene, a suspected carcinogen and respiratory toxin; and isopropylene, a suspected neurotoxin.

Fragrance Added Babies already smell wonderful! Why ruin it with chemicals and perfumes? Some babies can have allergic reactions to the chemical mix, both respiratory, and rash.

Delayed Culture of Potty Training at nearly a dollar a diaper if your child is in pull-ups, that is oodles of money that could be spent on something else. Most kids in cloth train by 2 years old.

TBTs Tributyl tin, a chemical compound which is known to disrupt sex hormones, has been found in disposable diapers, namely: Huggies and Pampers.




Study: Disposable Diapers Could Cause Male Infertility

By Anthony Browne
London Observer Service
September 26, 2000
Disposable diapers could be the cause of the sharp rise in male infertility over the past 25 years, according to an authoritative scientific study to be published this week. It is thought that disposable diapers heat up baby boys' testicles to such a degree that it stops them developing normally. Diapers lined with plastic raise the temperature of the scrotum far above body temperature and can lead to a total breakdown of normal cooling mechanisms, according to the study published in the Archives of Disease in Childhood. Doctors in Kiel, Germany, started the study after being alarmed at the temperature of the testicles of infant boys who were brought into hospitals with infections. The cells supporting sperm production are laid down in the first two years of life. However, their development and sperm production in later life is very dependent on temperature. Testicles need to be cooler than the rest of the body, which is why they are external.
Boys whose testicles descend too late in adolescence are often infertile because they have been kept warm for too long. In adults, exposure to high temperatures, during a fever or while in a sauna, can dramatically reduce sperm count. Tight jeans can also lead to higher testicular temperatures, possibly causing a reduction in sperm count. Dr. Wolfgang Sippell, professor of pediatrics at the University of Kiel, monitored the scrotal temperature of 48 healthy boys, from birth up to 4 years old, using a tiny thermal probe. His team tested the temperatures when boys wore disposable diapers and when they wore re-usable cotton diapers, both during waking and sleeping hours. The temperature was consistently higher when the disposable diapers were worn, with the highest temperatures recorded in the youngest babies. Scrotal temperatures were the same as rectal temperatures when cotton diapers were worn, but far higher when disposable diapers were worn.

They concluded that the insulation properties of the disposable diapers impaired the normal cooling mechanisms of the testicles. They found that in 13 boys, the cooling mechanism failed altogether. Sippell concluded: "A prolonged increase in scrotal temperature in early childhood may have an important role in subsequent testicular health and function, with implications for male fertility." Repeated studies have shown that average sperm counts have fallen by almost half from 1938 levels and are continuing to decline as fast as 2 percent a year. The Absorbent Hygiene Products Manufacturers Association, which represents makers of disposable diapers, said the study had dubious methodology. Association spokesman Peter Stephenson said: "There is no evidence to support the assertions made by this study, which would appear to be implausible. The safety of our products is of paramount importance. Disposable diapers are, and remain, safe."




New Tests Confirm TBT Poison in Proctor & Gamble Pampers

Greenpeace Demands Worldwide Ban of Organotins in All Products
May 15, 2000
HAMBURG -- New tests carried out by Greenpeace found the hormone pollutant TBT (tributyl tin) in "Pampers� Baby Dry Mini" babies' nappies (diapers) sold in Germany by the company Procter & Gamble. Last Friday, Greenpeace uncovered that TBT and other organotin compounds were found in Procter & Gamble's Pampers� "Baby Dry", in the Paul Hartmann company's "Fixies Ultra Dry", and in LedysanSpa's "United Colours of Benetton� Junior unisex". All tests were proven by scientific analyses made on Greenpeace's behalf.
The new test, during which several parts of "Pampers� Baby Dry Mini" were analyzed, found the highest contamination in the belt section of these nappies. "Pampers� Baby Dry Mini" contained up to 38.4 micrograms of TBT per kilogram, a much higher level then in the first tests of a pool sample published last Friday. (1) Furthermore the inner and outer layer were found to be contaminated. Greenpeace also found other organotin compounds in the Pampers�, including DBT and MBT. If all discovered organotin compounds were added, a total of 53.2 micrograms per kilogram were found.
Greenpeace's scientific test results contradict a statement by Procter & Gamble, in which the company last Friday denied that its nappies were contaminated with organotin compounds. Greenpeace toxics expert Thilo Maack said: "The reaction of Procter & Gamble is a scandal. The company is downplaying the danger instead of actively searching for the source of TBT in Pampers�. It is absolutely irresponsible to expose babies to these extremely toxic substances".


"Fact is that TBT is one of the most toxic substances ever made, and it is being spread through the skin and contaminates the environment as well as people," he noted.
This environmental pollutant, which has been in the headlines for months because of its extremely high toxicity, has a hormone-like effect. The smallest concentrations of TBT can harm people's immune systems and impair their hormonal system. "The German government must ban this toxin in all areas of use immediately," says Thilo Maack.
Greenpeace last January found TBT in fish for human consumption, and in March detected TBT in football shirts despite textile manufacturers declaring them safe again. TBT has furthermore recently been found in plastic PVC floorings. Witco, a company in Bergkamen/Germany, produces 80 per cent of the TBT used in the world. The smallest quantities of TBT kill algae and mussels and for that reason it is used in ships' paints to stop their growth on hulls.

Greenpeace has been calling on the chemical and ship industries to ban its production or application. There are less harmful alternatives to TBT in all the spheres in which organotin compounds are used. Greenpeace is at present analyzing other brands of nappies on sale in Germany. Its findings will be available by the end of this week.



Chemicals In Diapers Cited As Possible Asthma Trigger

Penny Stern, MD
October 6, 1999
NEW YORK, Oct 06 (Reuters Health) -- Childhood respiratory problems, including asthma, may be linked to inhaling the mixture of chemicals emitted from disposable diapers, researchers write in the September/October issue of Archives of Environmental Health.

Lead author Dr. Rosalind C. Anderson, of Anderson Laboratories in West Hartford, Vermont, told Reuters Health that chemical emissions of some disposable diapers have immediate health effects in animals breathing the diluted chemical mixtures. ''Upon analysis, the diaper emissions were found to include several chemicals with documented respiratory toxicity,'' according to the paper.

"Mice were used in this study because of their general physiological and biochemical similarity to humans", Anderson explained, "adding that both humans and mice develop bronchoconstriction as a response to certain (odors and substances)". Bronchoconstriction refers to a narrowing of air passages in the lungs that is associated with respiratory difficulties.

"Upon exposing the mice to various brands of disposable diapers, a decrease (was observed) in the ability of (the) animals to move air during exhalation", Anderson said. Noting that this finding accurately describes asthma or an asthma-like reaction, she added "that if mice and humans respond in a similar manner to diaper emissions, disposable diapers could be important with respect to the worldwide asthma epidemic.''

In contrast to the results obtained with disposables, new cloth diapers produced very little respiratory effects and appeared to be the least toxic choice for a consumer, the researchers write.

"Though the disposable effect was noted even when the emissions of a single diaper are diluted in the air of a small room,'' Anderson said, she cautions that it is too early to indict diaper chemicals. "Whether the diaper chemicals initiate clinical disease, simply trigger an asthma-like response or are not implicated (at all) in human disease will not be known until after a vast amount of human data has been accumulated,'' she commented.

Therefore, Anderson believes that formal epidemiological investigations must be extended to infant products in order to evaluate these items' possible role in triggering or aggravating asthmatic conditions. She and her co-author, Dr. Julius Anderson, have (previously) published similar findings associated with other products used in infants' environments. "A number of these manufactured materials -- air fresheners, mattress covers, fabric softeners -- have many rapid-onset toxic effects in common,'' she pointed out.

In Anderson's view, the current epidemic in childhood asthma cannot be explained solely on the basis of what she termed, ''the usual suspects: dust mites, cockroaches, maternal smoking". Maybe child-care products (such as) plastic diapers... plastic baby bottles, and plastic toys are important factors (through the release of) chemicals with toxic effects.''

Until such time as this asthma-inducing effect can be confirmed in humans, Anderson reminds parents and healthcare professionals that precaution costs nothing. When you are dealing with a toxic chemical or chemicals, avoidance is the only proper action. ''She suggests that (parents) and doctors... believe themselves if they think a product is harming the breathing of the mother or the baby.''

SOURCE: Archives of Environmental Medicine September/October 1999.




Disposable Diapers Linked to Asthma

January/February 2000
Harsh perfumes and chemical emissions have long been known to induce asthma-like symptoms in children and adults. Now, researchers have found that disposable diapers might be a trigger for asthma.

A study published in the October, 1999 issue of the Archives of Environmental Health found that laboratory mice exposed to various brands of disposable diapers suffered increased eye, nose, and throat irritation, including bronchoconstriction similar to that of an asthma attack. Six leading cotton and disposable diaper brands were tested; cloth diapers were not found to cause respiratory problems among the lab mice.

Dr. Rosalind C. Anderson, lead author of the report, "Acute Respiratory Effects of Diaper Emissions," explains that the diapers were tested right out of the package, and one at a time. Even in a mid-sized room, the emissions from one diaper were high enough to produce asthma-like symptoms. Solvents and other substances are typically added to products during the manufacturing process in order to affect malleability and other properties, Dr. Anderson explains. "Even if you don�t want these chemicals in the final product, it�s hard to take them out. We are finding chemical off-gasses in all sorts of baby products besides diapers, including baby mattresses and mattress covers," she says.

What chemicals were released from the diapers? Tolune, xylene, ethylbenzene, styrene, and isopropylbenzene, among others. Dr. Anderson says these, like certain scents, are bronchial irritants. "It�s similar to when asthmatics smell perfume and all of a sudden their chests get tight." Although mice are much smaller than humans, they were chosen for the study because their physiology and biochemistry are similar to that of humans. Of the brands tested, three diaper brands were found not to affect the breathing of the lab mice: American Fiber and Finishing Co., Gladrags organic cotton diapers, and Tender Care disposable diapers.

Further study is needed to determine what level of diaper chemical emission triggers infant respiratory distress. In the meantime, Dr. Anderson advises asthmatic mothers to avoid exposure to these chemicals, and to be mindful of the fact that their children may be sensitive to these and other asthma antagonists such as dust mites, roaches, and smoking. Asthma rates are on a sharp incline in the US and worldwide, particularly among poor and inner-city children.

Anderson, Rosalind, and Julius Anderson. �Acute Respiratory Effects of Diaper Emissions,� Archives of Environmental Health, 54, October 1999.

1) Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States: 1990 Update. (1990). U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, EPA 530 SW-90-042. Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office.

2) Lehrburger, C. (1988). Diapers in the Waste Stream: A Review of Waste Management and Public Issues, P. O. Box 580, Sheffield, MA.

3) Rathje, W. L. (1989). "Rubbish" The Atlantic Monthly, 264 (6), 99-109.

4) Hollis, R. W. (1989). "The ethics of diapering"; Mothering (Fall), 29.

5) Little, A. D. Disposable Versus Reusable (Cloth) Diapers: Environmental, Health and Economic Considerations. Cambridge, MA: Arthur D. Little, Inc.

6) Lyman, F. (1990) "Diaper hype" Garbage: the Practical Journal for the Environment, 2 (1), 36-40.

7) Clark. G.S., et. al. (1974). Incidence of viral infections among waste collection workers. Institute of Environmental Health, Cincinnati, OH: University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

8) Energy and Environmental Profile Analysis of Children's Disposable and Cloth Diapers. (1990). Prairie Village, KS: Franklin Associates, Ltd.

9) Dallas, M. J. and Wilson, P. A. (1989). "Diaper performance: maintenance of healthy skin" Proceedings: Association of College Professors of Textiles and Clothing Annual Meeting, Atlanta, GA.

10) Bartlett, L. K., Moore, M., Gary, W., et. al. (1985). "Diarrhea illness among infants and toddlers in daycare centers" Journal of Pediatrics (107), 495.

11) Berg, R. W. (1990). The effect of diaper type on the potential for fecal contamination in group daycare settings. The Procter and Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH.

12) Stone, J. (1990). Groundwater quality: the diaper dilemma. Iowa Cooperative Extension Service Publication No. Pm-1401, Iowa State University, Ames, IA.

13) Joseph, L. E. (1990). "The Bottom Line on Disposables" The New York Times Magazine (September 23), 26 ff.

14) King, L. W. (1990). A Study of Municipal Solid Waste Composting on the Impact of Paper Diapers. The Procter and Gamble Company, Cincinnati, OH.








Diapering Articles
Some Surprising Facts About Cotton Diapers

So, you thought the days of using cotton diapers from a diaper service were long gone? Not true. Thousands of today's moms and dads have made the natural choice of cotton for their babies' bottoms. Here are a few reasons:

Fact #1: Cotton feels good. You know that. Most of us prefer to wear cotton over anything else. Who, if given a choice, would choose plastic and wood pulp over soft, comfortable cotton underwear? Parents should ask these questions. What diaper can best respond to the four functions of the skin in preventing diaper rash? What diaper is safer and more economical? Convenient? And, finally, because of the discomfort it can cause, how seriously can diaper rash affect the health of an infant? Cotton breathes, letting air circulate to baby's skin. And, unlike chemical-laden disposables, cotton diapers are naturally absorbent. It also means less friction on tender skin, reducing the likelihood of diaper rash.

Fact #2: 18 billion disposable diapers are thrown in landfills each year, taking as many as 500 years to decompose. Disposable diapers make up the third largest source of solid waste landfills, after newspapers and food beverage containers - a significant fact, considering they are a single product used by a limited portion of the population.


Why Choose Cloth Diapers?

Consider your baby's health

DIOXIN: Dioxin is the chemical by-product of the paper-bleaching process, using chlorine gas, in the manufacturing of disposable diapers.
-Disposable diapers contain traces of the carcinogenic toxin, Dioxin.
-The EPA lists Dioxin as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals.
-Dioxin is banned in most countries, but not the U.S.

SODIUM POLYACRLATE: This is the chemical, added in powder form in the inner pad of a disposable diaper, to make it super-absorbent.
-Disposables contain sodium polyacrylate, a type of super absorbent polymer (SAP).
-SAP was banned from tampons due to links to toxic shock syndrome.
-This chemical can cause skin irritations and severe allergic reasctions including vomiting, staph infections, and fever.

Consider the costs...

DISPOSABLE DIAPERS: Based on the average cost of 25.5 cents/diaper, diapering with disposable diapers will cost about $1600 ($66/month) to diaper for two years, excluding the cost of baby wipes.
DIAPER SERVICE: The cost for 60 cloth diapers/week averages $15.00. This equals $780 annually or about $65 a month. Over the course of two years, a family will spend about $1500 per baby for a diaper service.

Renewable, Recyclable, Reusable

RENEWABLE: The single-use life cycle of disposable diapers perpetuate their continued consumption, causing undue stress on our natural resources.
-The U.S. consumes an estimated 40.4 billion disposable diapers each year.
-Over 92% of all single-use diapers end up in a landfill.
-Over 300 lbs. of wood and 50 lbs. of petroleum feedstocks are used to produce disposable diapers for ONE baby EACH year.

RECYCLABLE: Disposable diapers are not readily biodegradable which is why it is estimated they take 250-500 years to decompose. In 1991, an attempt to recycle disposable diapers was deemed economically unfeasible.

REUSEABLE: Cotton diapers are not single-use diapers. A family can expect to reuse cloth diapers 50 to 200 times before turning them into rags.




Introduction

A diaper is a central part of a babies' wardrobe, most often being the main item that the baby will wear. Although infants cannot articulate their discomfort with fit or absorbency of a diaper, they enjoy one of the strongest interest groups fighting on their behalf: concerned and loving parents. Parents want their babies to be snuggly and dry, free of diaper rash. In addition, since diapering can seem like a never-ending task, parents welcome any changes that will make the process less painful and more convenient. Hence, as long as new babies are being born, a large sum of R&D will be spent to enable continuous improvements on diapers.

A revolutionary breakthrough in diapering came in the late 1950s when disposable diapers were invented and virtually substituted cloth diapers. This new innovation ended many hours of soaking, washing, drying and folding of cloth diapers. This analyzes the innovation of disposable diapers in three stages: creation, diffusion and impact.

The Creation and the Development of Pampers

While babysitting his first grandchild in 1956, on Procter & Gamble (P&G) chemical engineer was determined to find a better way to diaper. He led a P&G group to research the possibilities of a disposable diaper that was absorbent, which prevented leaks while keeping babies dry ("Pampers Products", 2000). Although the first alternative to cloth diapers was imported from Sweden by Johnson & Johnson in the 1940s, that product was marketed mainly as a convenience for traveling families. It was Pampers, introducaed in 1961 as a result from the P&G research, that removed the diaper container and laundry deliever truck in most American households by the end of the 1960s. Ever since, Procter & Gamble and its main competitor, Kimberly-Clark (maker of Huggies), and other smaller diaper manufacturers have engaged in an active competition in diaper marketing and technology for a $3.5 billion annual market (Revkin, 1997).

Considering Cloth Diapers

When it comes to choosing whether to use cloth diapers or disposables on your baby, many people opt for the perceived "convenience" of disposables. However, the cost of that supposed convenience goes far beyond the cash you'll hand over at the checkout. The Landbank Consultancy, an independent organization, conducted an analysis of two "life-cycle" studies commissioned by Proctor& Gamble and found that - using Proctor & Gamble's own data - disposables are actually far more environmentally harmful than reusable cotton diapers.
FOr example, the 18 billion disposables that end up in American landfills each year use 3.5 billion gallons of oil to produce. Disposables also use 3.5 times more energy, 8.3 times more non-renewable materials, and produce 60 times more domestic solid waste than cotton diapers. A single disposable diaper can take up to 500 years to decompose, meaning that every disposable ever used is still in a landfill somewhere. In addition to the environmental impact of disposables, there is an added price when it comes to disposing of that waste. Using disposables can literally double a garbage bill. Cotton diapers, on the other hand, are reusable, and their use extends beyond mere diapering. Unlike disposable, cloth diapers are useful for far more than a couple of hours it takes to turn a disposable into just another addition to a landfill. After your child is finished with the diapering phase of their life, the clean cotton diapers can be used as rags, with a multitude of uses around the home.
Disposable diapers accound for two percent of the total U.S. landfill volume. For every child using cloth diapers, one ton of non-biodegradable waste is diverted from landfills. Considering that waste from the Seattle area is being transported to the Colombia Ridge Landfill in Oregon, this reduction in the amount of waste we produce is not only environmentally sound, but neighborly as well.


Join the Cloth Diapering Community

Organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund, Women's Environmental Network (in both the US and the UK), Washington Environmental Council, Connecticut General Assembly, and then Environmental Action FOundation have all come to the same conclusion - cotton diapers are far better for the environment than disposables. Consider that the 18 billion besposables that end up in American landfills each year use 3.5 billion gallons of oil to produce. The price of oil does not appear to be diminishing, and our dependence on it does nothing to lessen oil's impact on the environment our children will inherit.
"Parents are looking at the current realities that we as a society are facing and realizing that throwing a diaper away after only an hour's use does not necessarily make good environmental sense," says Mark Stief, owner of Baby Diaper Service. "When a parent discovers that mainstream disposable diapers are shipped out of state for disposal - these same parents question the qisdom of single-use diapers."
With wider access to the Internet, parents are becoming more educated consumers. Articels on the health and environmental impart of disposables versus cloth diapers are readily avaliable, and online communities such as the Real Diaper Association, or RDA (www.realdiaperassociation.org), are making strides to educate and motivate new parents to explore their diapering options.
The National Association of Diaper Services is an organization dedicated to promoting the health and environmental beliefs of using cotton diapers rather than disposables. They constantly monitor the laundering and sanitation practices of their members with rigorous testing, requiring that members adhere to strict hygiene standards.
Locally, we are fortunate to have Baby Diaper Service, which is happy to be a member of the National Association of Diaper Services. Baby Diaper Service has been providing Washington's babies with a convenient and healthy alternative to disposables for generations. Owner Mark Stief is pround to give local parents the opportunity to enjoy this service. He says, "We were thanked by a new parent just yesterday for providing this valuable service to parents in this area. It really left an impression on me to think that what we do has such a signigicant impact on so many lives."
With people becoming interested in cloth diapers as a more healthful and financially sound choice, online communities are growing in number. Organizations such as the Women's Environmental Network (www.wen.org.uk) reach out to cloth diaper users with an aim to change people's attitudes toward cloth diapering - both locally and globally - through education and awareness. The RDA has also begun the process of creating Diaper Circles, giving parents the opportunity to meet other cloth diaper users and pool knowledge and resources.
Explore your diapering options and open the door to the wider cloth0diapering community by supporting a more environmentally-responsible culture. Every child who uses cloth diapers keeps on ton of non-biodegradable waste from being added to a landfill. Be a part of the change, one diaper at a time.


Making a Difference, One Diaper at a Time

Babies have pretty basic needs: Food, clothing, shelter, and the comfort of being around people who love them. And then, of course, there's the need for a clean, dry, comfortable diaper. This is where you have to make one of the first decisions about how you're going to care for your baby - and where cotton comes in.
When choosing what to put next to your baby's skin, consider what goes into a cotton diaper. Cotton is a natural, soft, breathable material, discouraging irritation and infection by ventilating your precious newborn's delicate and vulnerable skin. Using cotton diapers on your child also means that one ton of non-biodegradable waste is being diverted from landfills, just with that simple choice.
Making the choice to use cloth diapers mean you are taking a stop towards giving future generations a cleaner, greener planet. We salute those who give back to their community - whether through donations of time, funds, or simply what they have on hand. Every little step we make to become caretakers of each other and our sevironment brings us that much closer to making a real difference.
To give the gift of Baby Diaper Service, or to set up your service or pre-birth delivery, call 1-800-562-BABY, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.


Make a Good Beginning Even Better With Baby Diaper Service

Preparing your home for the arrival of your new baby can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to setting up the diaper changing area. One way to make it easier is to set up a pre-birth delivery from Baby Diaper Service
When you call Baby Diaper Service to set up your pre-birth delivery, you can expect a delivery of newborn-sized diapers, a diaper pail, pail deodorizer, and Northwest Baby & Child to arrive on your doorstep before your baby comes home, making on less thing to worry about before the big day comes. The only thing you have to remember is to call Baby Diaper Service after your baby is born so they know to start regular deliveries! If Junior decides to arrive a little early, just let the helpful staff at Baby Diaper Service know and accomidations will be made to ensure you have the best possible service with the least amount of worry.
As a new parent, sleep-deprivation and enormous changes can make something like running out of diapers feel overwhelming. Baby Diaper Service helps eliminate late-night emergency diaper-buys. Every week you place your bag of soiled diapers outside your front door, and then next day a bag of clean, fresh, cotton diapers arrives, with no fuss! To learn more about Baby Diaper Service, or to set up service, call 1-800-562-BABY, or 206-634-BABY, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.





Customer Testimonials
"In this day and age of technology it is a rare pleasure to reach a real person every time you call a business. In the three years I have had service with you I have always talked to a person after a couple rings of the phone. No convoluted phone tree, no answering machine, rather a live person who can help me from start to finish. Thank you for making such a personal business personal!"
-Aimee Murray

"I love your diapers because they are so lush and soft I just want to dive into them every week when they arrive on my doorstep. I feel confident in using your service because I trust you do your very best to keep environmental impact at its lowest, while keeping service and quality at its highest."
-B.C., Bellevue

"From the very beginning you were quick to answer all my questions, friendly and professional. When my baby came three weeks early, you responded promptly, congratulated my family, and brought me the diapers earlier than originally scheduled. Every time my baby grew into the next size you celebrated with me. The quality of your diapers is outstanding. Gabriel has never had a diaper rash using your diapers. Your driver is courteous and follows the neighborhood speed limit. All of your staff has been friendly and personable. I have so enjoyed your service I would highly recommend you to anyone."
-Dawn and Gabriel Lehto

"Thank you for three great years of service. Your staff have been exceptionally helpful and friendly. I am grateful that your service has enabled my daughter to avoid exposure to the toxic chemicals contained in disposable diapers, and lessened her impact on the environment. Many thanks."
-Suzanne Pardee, Shoreline

"Switching to cloth diapers was the best thing we did for my son's potty training. Suddenly, he was uncomfortable being wet. The rest of his training followed rapidly. He is now 2 and a half years old with a consistent record of staying dry. Thank you."
-Heidi Cook, RN, CBE

"Three years and two babies later, I can't imagine diapering my children any other way. I feel so good wrapping them up in your soft white diapers and I sleep so well knowing that they are not spending 24 hours a day pressed up against known chemicals found in many disposable diapers.
Our clean diapers have arrived at our doorstep every week without fail for over three years (even when it snowed on Christmas Eve!) and your prices are so reasonable. In fact, you actually saved us money by not having to pay for an additional trash can pick-up which we surely would have needed if we used disposable diapers.
Thank you for your impeccable customer service over the years and thank you for making cloth diapering so easy and no-fuss!"
-Julie Guy

"My wife and I want to thank you for the generous gift of free diaper service for four weeks. Having been Baby Diaper Service customers for over three years now, we especially appreciate the gesture.
Overall, we've been very happy with the service we've received, and continue to be grateful that such a service is available in our community. We-and the environment-are very fortunate that you exist."
-Matt Fikejs