Sustainability in Daily Baby Life

The topics of sustainability and waste reduction are gaining importance across the population. However, young (expectant) parents, in particular, are striving to make their daily baby routines more sustainable to contribute positively to the environment and protect the world for future generations. It is well known that reusable instead of disposable is a possible approach to reducing waste. In some areas, there are already specific regulations prohibiting the use of certain disposable products, such as plastic straws. Disposable diapers, as single-use products, have not yet been affected by these regulations, and few people question their use. However, cloth diapers, as reusable products, offer an additional, as yet untapped, opportunity by the government to reduce waste volumes. Choosing cloth diapers can make a significant difference in an environmentally friendly daily baby life.

Cloth Diapers vs. Disposable Diapers: A Comparison

Materials and Lifecycle of Disposable Diapers

Disposable diapers are primarily made from synthetic materials such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and superabsorbent polymers (SAP) derived from petroleum. The lifecycle of these disposable products begins with energy-intensive production and typically ends in landfills or incineration plants since they are difficult to recycle. A child requires an average of about 5,000 disposable diapers until they are fully potty trained, each of which is discarded after use.

A simple calculation clearly illustrates the amount of waste generated by using disposable diapers in Berlin in 2021:

(39.168 + 37.694 + 37.690) x 0,95 x 6 x 365 = 238.325.436

With around 39,168 births in 2021, of which, according to a 2019 study by the BMU, about 95% use disposable diapers, the daily consumption of an average of six diapers per baby (more during infancy, less during toddlerhood) results in approximately 81.5 million disposable diapers annually in the first year alone. Adding the diapers for 1- and 2-year-old children increases the number to around 238.5 million diapers annually. Thus, in 2021 alone, a total of 238.5 million disposable diapers were used in Berlin!

Using cloth diapers can help avoid enormous amounts of waste.

Materials and Lifecycle of Cloth DiapersM

Cloth diapers are made from washable natural or synthetic materials such as cotton, hemp, bamboo, or microfiber. These materials are reusable and have a significantly lower ecological footprint. Compared to disposable diapers, the use and care of cloth diapers generate much less waste since they can be used repeatedly. Although there are initial manufacturing costs and energy consumption for cleaning, these are more than offset by the long service life and avoidance of waste.

A child needs about 25-30 cloth diapers for the entire diapering period (excluding newborn-size cloth diapers for diapering from birth to around 8 weeks old). The ecological footprint can be further minimized by purchasing used cloth diapers, reusing them for siblings, or selling them after potty training.

Additional Sustainable Practices in Daily Baby Life

In addition to using cloth diapers, there are numerous other ways to make daily baby life more sustainable. Here are a few specific examples:

• Second-Hand Purchases: Clothes, toys, and baby equipment can often be purchased second-hand, saving resources and reducing waste.

  
  

• Reusable Baby Products: Reusable bottles, small washcloths instead of wet wipes, and other reusable baby items are environmentally friendly and help avoid single-use plastic.

• Homemade Baby Food: Making baby food from fresh, local ingredients reduces packaging waste and is often healthier for the baby.

  
  

• Eco-Friendly Care Products: Using biodegradable and natural care products for babies reduces chemical exposure and waste.

  
  

Conclusion

In conclusion, cloth diapers offer an excellent way to reduce waste in daily baby life and promote a sustainable lifestyle. Besides the ecological benefits, they also contribute to global sustainability goals. Parents have many other options to make sustainable decisions that benefit both the environment and their family. Even small steps can make a big difference. It is in our hands to make the world a better place for our children and future generations.

Feel encouraged to integrate sustainable practices into your daily routine and actively contribute to environmental protection. Every little bit counts and can have a significant positive impact on our environment. You don't have to use cloth diapers exclusively; a mix with disposable diapers is also possible – every disposable diaper not used counts. If you need support in choosing and using cloth diapers, book a cloth diaper consultation or attend a cloth diaper workshop. You can read about the benefits of such a consultation in the article "Value of Cloth Diaper Consultation."