For my paper, I am writing about disposable and reusable diapers in terms of their life cycles and sustainability. So far I have found the materials for each type of diaper.
80% of the United States uses disposable diapers, equaling around 82,000 tons of plastic and 250,000 trees2. Disposable diapers contain several different wood and plastic products, approximately “43% wood pulp (Fluff pulp), 27% super absorbent polymer (SAP), 10% polypropylene (PP), 13% polyethylene (PE), and 7% tapes, elastics and adhesives1.” They are typically constructed of a plastic outer layer with some form of fasting mechanism and the inside, which is made of luff pulp, provides the absorptive property2. There is also a plastic bottom layer in order to prevent leaks and the waist elastics contain Velcro material2. The wood pulp used in diapers can come from forest waste materials like wood thinnings and sawmill waste. Re-usable diapers can made with an array of materials including polyester, terry cotton, and cotton, in combination with absorptive material like bamboo, hemp, and other ‘stay-dry’ fabrics. The waterproof layers of these diapers contain polyurethane laminate and thermoplastic polyurethane2.
80% of the United States uses disposable diapers, equaling around 82,000 tons of plastic and 250,000 trees2. Disposable diapers contain several different wood and plastic products, approximately “43% wood pulp (Fluff pulp), 27% super absorbent polymer (SAP), 10% polypropylene (PP), 13% polyethylene (PE), and 7% tapes, elastics and adhesives1.” They are typically constructed of a plastic outer layer with some form of fasting mechanism and the inside, which is made of luff pulp, provides the absorptive property2. There is also a plastic bottom layer in order to prevent leaks and the waist elastics contain Velcro material2. The wood pulp used in diapers can come from forest waste materials like wood thinnings and sawmill waste. Re-usable diapers can made with an array of materials including polyester, terry cotton, and cotton, in combination with absorptive material like bamboo, hemp, and other ‘stay-dry’ fabrics. The waterproof layers of these diapers contain polyurethane laminate and thermoplastic polyurethane2.
AumAumonier, Simon, Michael Collins, and Peter Garrett. "An
Updated Lifecycle Assessment Study for Disposable and Reusable
Nappies." Nappy Informative Service. Environment Agency, 2008.
Web.
<http://www.nappyinformationservice.co.uk/docs/SCHO0808BOIR-E-E.pdf>
Clothh versus Disposable Diapers." Appropedia:
The Sustainability Wiki. Appropedia, n.d. Web. 02 May 2014. <http://www.appropedia.org/Cloth_versus_disposable_diapers>.
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