And The Debate Continues - Cloth Vs. Disposable Diapers

r disposable? Which one is better? This debate hasdebate. Those who believe cloth is better because
been going on since the 70s and 80s. And it continuesdisposable diapers are not very biodegradable. With
today with each side saying the other is the superiorthe type of materials used and the amount of
product. But cloth diapers are making a comeback withprocessing they go through, disposables remain in
new flushable liners.landfills around 500 years. Many countries throughout
Cloth diapers are what all mothers used untilthe world have banned leaving untreated human
disposable diapers became mainstream. Thesewaste in landfills. And so, they began incinerating the
diapers are not as convenient or easy to dispose. But,diapers, which leaves almost no residue. Still, not every
at one time, cloth was all a mother had to work with.country is taking these measures.
Today, cloth diapers are not our mothers diapers.Another point of contention is cost. You have to take
There are new, flushable liners that allow mothers tothese questions into consideration: how many diapers
easy flush the waste down the toilet. Many now haveam I using per month; how much am I spending on our
velcro closure tabs; no more large safety pins!diaper service; how much water and electricity am I
Disposable diaper history starts in 1942 in Sweden withusing to launder the diapers? There are alot of valid
PauliStrǒm. The first disposables had an innerpoints on each side for cost. To use strictly
lining made up of many layers of tissue paper. Theydisposables, you may spend from $50 to $80 per
showed up in the marketplace during the 1960s aftermonth; to use cloth diapers and a service, you may
pulp mill replaced tissue paper. At that time they werespend the same. But to use cloth and launder them
fairly expensive. Today’s disposable have anyourself, you may spend $25 to $60 per month.
even more absorbent inner layer that they are moreIt is all a matter of choice. Some parents use cloth
convenient than before. Even though these diapersdiapers while at home and disposables when they go
have only been on the market for 40 years, we areout. Others use strictly one or the other. Ultimately, we
going to feel the effects for thousands of years.parents have to make choices based on what we
And those effects is one of the biggest issues of thisthink is the right thing to do.