There is no doubt that both cloth and disposable diapers have an impact on the environment and there is no point pretending otherwise. That said, most things we buy from the supermarket affect the environment in some way. The important question then becomes what are we doing to minimise the impact our products have on our planet?

Here at Kimberly-Clark (makers of Huggies) we have given a lot of effort to researching and improving our products to where they are today. All of this is designed to provide parents with the best possible products and ensure we minimise the impact of these products on the environment.

Disposable and reusable diapers each have similar environmental impacts

There have been many studies comparing disposable diapers with reusable ones.

The Australian Consumers' Association, in a consumer study of diaper performance concluded1;

"There's no clear environmental advantage in using cloth diapers over disposables. Both have damaging environmental impacts."

In addition a major two year independently reviewed study sponsored by the UK Government Environment Agency - Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)2 released 19 May 2005 - found there was:

"…little or nothing to choose between them."

This thoroughly documented UK study assessed a wide range of activities associated with manufacture, use and disposal of disposable and reusable diapers which can affect the environment. It showed that

using cloth diapers uses more water, energy and detergents, and
disposable diapers contribute more solid waste to landfill.

The results of this independent study confirm the findings of five other life cycle assessment studies conducted since 1991.

These conclusions reinforce the fact that all activities have an environmental impact. Some of these activities have immediate visibility (wastes that go to landfill), while others go unseen (energy, water & chemicals used in washing)

Both diaper alternatives were found to have similar, overall impacts on the environment with the differences being the stage of each product's life cycle where the impact occurs.

Based on these studies and conclusions, parents can now make a guilt free choice based on other important factors such as performance, cost and convenience.

We use renewable fibres in Huggies Diapers

In the Bush

Here at Huggies (Kimberly-Clark) we make fibre for diapers from pine wood (Pinus radiata) from sustainable and renewable plantations. As parents, you can be reassured that these forests are replanted and managed to ensure full sustainability into the future.

The fibre in Kimberly-Clark's diapers uses pine plantation wastes called "thinnings". In the past, this thinning material was left to rot on the forest floor or burnt.

Huggies diapers are hydrogen-peroxide bleached (not chlorine bleached)

Hydrogen-peroxide (not chlorine) is used to bleach diaper fibre. Bleaching is important as it improves the absorbency and fibre integrity of the diaper pad. This process produces oxygen and leaves negligible residue in the environment.

Improvements to reduce the bulkiness of Huggies and reducing waste

Over the last ten years we have reduced the bulkiness of Huggies diapers by more than 50% through improved performance. This reduction has largely been achieved by substituting fibre with additional super-absorbent material and more effective product design.

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1. Reprinted from the August 1999 edition of CHOICE - with the permission of the Australian Consumers' Association (ACA).
2. "A life cycle assessment of disposable and reusable diapers in the UK", 19 May 2005.

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