Is it better to have washable nappies (dippers) or biodegradable?

Question

We are having twins (lots of nappies)!

Is it really more environmentally friendly to have washable nappies, with all the water and electricity use, or biodegradable disposable.

Answer 1

Honestly, it's 6 in one hand, half a dozen in the other.

Disposable:  While easy to use/obtain it's true there are issues with the biodegradability of the diaper itself, and they take up space in landfills, which could result in the leaching of chemicals from the diaper.

Cloth: Made of natural fibers and reusable, but they require extra water to wash/rinse, detergents and bleach to sanitize, which can negatively impact the environment as well.  Also, if you're using a diaper service, you need to consider the cost of gasoline the service uses for delivery/pickup.

If you live in an area which has an incinerator for trash, I'd suggest the disposables personally.

Answer 2

Washable. The key is to give them a rinse right after they are used. It still takes space and time to have the biodegradable ones turn to compost. With twins you will use more diapers than you know what to do with. That also becomes expensive. If you got the time and the stomach go for washable.

Answer 3

I agree with Linda T.  Both are pretty good and its good you are not using the non-biodegradable throw-aways.  Go with whatever is cheaper.

Answer 4

Environmentally speaking, washable, cotton diapers are better.  They don't take much more to wash, than you're normal daily laundry.  Just throw them in with your whites.  In my house, it actually makes more (environmental) sense, since my  white load is typically smaller than a full load.

Biodegradable diapers will still take 40 to 50 years to fully biodegrade and release toxic chemicals as they do.

Now whether you can keep up with the washable diapers (especially with twins) is a different question.  Also, here in the U.S., mid to large size cities all have delivery service who will drop off clean diapers and take your dirty ones to be washed in bulk. (more environmental sense)

Answer 5

WASHABLE

reusing is better than recycling

Answer 6

Washable.