Envirosponsible Links

Keeping our Rivers Protected

Claudia’s Choices is a proud supporter of Trout Unlimited Canada – the preeminent conservation organization and voice for freshwater ecosystems in Canada. Why trout? Because the presence of trout in our streams, rivers and lakes, indicates healthy and intact freshwater ecosystems. Trout Unlimited Canada’s mission is to conserve, protect and restore Canada’s freshwater ecosystems for current and future generations.

Claudia's Choices Ultra Phosphate Free Laundry Powder is biodegradable and contains no phosphates, dyes, bleach, sodium chloride, sodium sulphate, optical brightener, fillers, fragrance or stainguard chemicals. A portion from the sale of any size of Claudia's Choices Ultra Phosphate Free Laundry Powder is donated to the conservation efforts of Trout Unlimited Canada.

Cloth vs. Disposable Diapers

A growing number of today’s parents are once again considering cloth diapers for their baby. Cloth diapers have changed dramatically over the years, and there are now more choices available than ever, with everything from unbleached cotton prefolds to fitted diapers made from bamboo fibres.

Ultimately the decision to diaper your baby in cloth diapers or disposables (or a combination of both) is a very personal one, but consider the following before making this important decision.

Consider the Savings…

The average baby will need about 6,500 diapers for the first 2 years of life. At $0.30 per disposable diaper, that adds up to $1,950. Add to that at least another $400 for disposable wipes and a fancy diaper disposal system.  Purchasing 4 dozen all-in-one cloth diapers (2 dozen small/medium plus 2 dozen large/x-large), reusable cloth baby wipes, and an airtight diaper pail will cost about $680. Washing and drying the diapers at home will cost about $232 ($0.95 per load x 244 loads over 2 years if washing 1 load every 3 days).

Even if you occasionally use disposables when going out with your baby (1.5 diapers @ 30 cents x 365 days x 2 years plus disposable wipes), the overall cost savings are over $1,000. You can multiply the savings by using the cloth diapers for two babies or more.

A diaper service will cost about as much as using disposables. Using a diaper service may seem more convenient at first glance, but beware that purchasing diaper covers and washing them is your own responsibility.

Consider your Baby’s Health…

Disposable Diapers contain traces of the carcinogenic toxin, Dioxin. Dioxin is the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals. This substance is the chemical by-product of the paper-bleaching process, using chlorine gas, in the manufacturing of disposable diapers.

Sodium polyacrylate, a type of super absorbent polymer (SAP) is the chemical that is added in powder form to the inner pad of disposable diapers, which turns liquid into gel. SAP was banned from tampons due to links to toxic shock syndrome. This chemical can cause skin irritations and severe allergic reactions including vomiting, staph infections and fever.

In 1955 - 100% of American babies wore cloth and 7 % experienced diaper rash.  In 1991 - 90 % of American babies wore disposables and 78 % experienced diaper rash.

A 2000 study in the Paediatric Department at the University of Kiel, Germany, found that scrotal temperature was consistently and significantly higher during the use of modern disposable diapers compared with cotton diapers, and that prolonged use of disposable plastic lined diapers may be linked to male infertility and testicular cancer.

Consider the Environment…

In the U.S. an estimated 27.4 billion disposable diapers are consumed each year. Over 300 lbs. of wood are used to produce disposable diapers for ONE baby EACH year. Disposable diapers are estimated to take 250-500 years to decompose. One baby goes through about 6,500 diapers, producing about 2 tons of non-biodegradable waste if that baby was wearing disposable diapers.

More water is required to manufacture Disposables than to wash cloth diapers at home. The effluent from various manufacturing processes of disposable diapers can release dioxins, furans, and other chemical by-products into the environment.

Bibliography:

www.realdiaperassociation.org

Elizabeth Wall, “Cloth vs. Disposables: The Debate Continues…” (www.gabbys.net/zencart/clothdiapers_disposable.php)

C-J. Partsch, M. Aukamp, WG Sippell, “Scrotal temperature is increased in disposable plastic lined nappies”, Department of Paediatrics, University of Kiel, Germany, May 15 2000.

More information on cloth diapers can be found at
Environment Canada
Real Diaper Association
Settling the Diaper Debate
Canadian Reusable Diaper Association

Other favourite community links...

Cherub Communications & Consulting
Everything But The Cake
Mamas Wear Babies
Raven Toner & Ink
Soul Experience