DISPOSABLE DIAPERS: ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH
Disposable diapers are designed for one-time use and disposal. They consist of approximately 61% plastic and various other materials, commonly including viscose, cotton, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, adhesives, dyes, and fragrances. After use, combined with waste, recycling them becomes very difficult and expensive.
ENVIRONMENT
In 2017, 6.7 million tons of disposable diapers were discarded in European Union countries, of which 87% ended up in landfills and 13% were incinerated, causing negative environmental impact.
Key facts:
To produce enough disposable diapers for one child from birth until around 2.5 years old (average age when children typically stop using diapers), about 1,500 liters of crude oil is needed.
More than 90% of the energy, water, and other resources in the life cycle of disposable diapers are consumed during production.
Production of disposable diapers for one child from birth to 2.5 years emits approximately 550 kg of CO₂, contributing to global warming and climate change. Across Europe, with about 15 million babies using disposable diapers, this totals roughly 3.3 million tons of CO₂ per year.
The cost of disposing of one ton of municipal waste in EU landfills ranges from €17.5 (Lithuania) to €155.5 (Sweden).
HEALTH
Disposable diapers can contain chemicals that may be harmful to babies.
According to a risk assessment by ANSES (French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety), disposable diapers contain a number of hazardous chemicals that may interact with the skin when in contact with urine. The assessment revealed that some chemical limits were exceeded, including:
Fragrances,
Certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs),
Dioxins and furans.
Some chemicals are added intentionally, such as fragrances that may cause skin allergies, while others are present due to contaminated raw materials or the manufacturing process. Most manufacturers of disposable diapers do not disclose all ingredients used in their products.
Source: Larissa Copello, Consumption & Production Campaigner, Zero Waste Europe. Brussels, April 2021.