Why Petroleum-Free Diapers Are the Better Choice

Photo by Delfino Barboza on Unsplash 

 

In every child's life, there are numerous firsts: the first smile, the first tooth, the first step. Yet long before these milestones are reached, a critical choice looms: Which diaper is the right one? In a world where sustainability and health are at the forefront, petroleum-free diapers are gaining importance. But why? And what alternative is there?

Are there diapers without petroleum? Yes, there are petroleum-free diapers. Cloth diapers are generally made from natural materials like cotton and contain no petroleum-based components. Also, some eco-friendly disposable diaper brands offer alternatives that forego petroleum-based materials.

In this article, we explore the background and reveal why more and more parents are choosing petroleum-free diapers.

Petroleum in Disposable Diapers: What's Behind It?

When you think of products containing petroleum, diapers are probably not the first thing that comes to mind. Nevertheless, petroleum is often a hidden component with drastic impacts.

Why Are Petroleum Products Used in Diapers?

Petroleum serves as a raw material for many plastics. Its components make diapers soft, flexible, water-resistant, and highly absorbent. A frequently used material is the super absorbent polymer. This plastic product can absorb many times its own weight in liquid – a reason why many diaper manufacturers utilize it.

The Impact of Petroleum on Our Environment

Petroleum-based diapers have severe impacts on the environment. On average, up to 5,000 disposable diapers are used per child. These are not fully biodegradable and are thus incinerated as hazardous waste. However, the environmental harm from diapers does not end there, as the incineration leaves behind a toxic mass. This is stored in former mines and continues to harm the environment. The extraction of petroleum and the production of these diapers are also energy-intensive and release harmful greenhouse gases.

The use of petroleum in everyday products – including diapers – has direct impacts on the environment. A deeper understanding of this issue can help us make informed decisions for the future of our planet.

Resource Extraction and Processing

The extraction of petroleum is an energy-intensive process. From drilling to refining, immense amounts of water are used, and vast areas of land are destroyed. This includes the dangers of oil spills, which can destroy whole ecosystems and habitats.

Climate Change and Greenhouse Gases

The combustion of petroleum and its derivatives releases large amounts of greenhouse gases. These gases, especially carbon dioxide, significantly contribute to global warming. Thus, the production of petroleum-based diapers indirectly contributes to the climate crisis, manifested in extreme weather events, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity.

The Problem of Landfills

Petroleum-based diapers are not biodegradable. After use, they end up in landfills, where they take hundreds of years to decompose. Since each baby uses thousands of diapers in their lifetime, this adds up to a tremendous amount of waste clogging our landfills and releasing toxic chemicals into the soil and groundwater.

Microplastics: An Invisible Evil

As the diapers slowly break down, they can release microplastic particles. These tiny particles enter the environment and often make their way into our waters, where they are ingested by marine animals. This not only has devastating effects on marine life but also on humans, as microplastics thus ultimately enter our food chain.

Potential Health Risks

There are growing concerns about the chemicals in petroleum-based diapers. It is known that these chemicals can cause allergies or skin irritations. The risk of babies coming into contact with these chemicals – especially in such a sensitive area – is an alarm bell for many parents.

In our post “Why Cloth Diapers Are Better For Health” we delve deeper into this and other points.

How to Recognize Petroleum-Based Diapers?

A careful look at the product description and ingredients is essential. Look for terms like “Polyacrylate“, “Polypropylene” or similar terms that indicate petroleum-based materials.

 

The Sustainable Alternative: Cloth Diapers

The good news? There are alternatives that are both environmentally friendly and safe for health. In the production of cloth diapers, the use of petroleum-based materials is generally completely avoided.

What Are the Advantages of Cloth Diapers?

Cloth diapers offer numerous benefits, including:

1. Environmental Friendliness:

• Less Waste: A cloth diaper can replace hundreds of disposable diapers, which means significantly less waste ends up in landfills.
• Less Resource Consumption: Cloth diapers require less water and energy in their overall lifecycle for manufacturing and cleaning compared to the production of disposable diapers.
• No Microplastics: Being made from natural materials, cloth diapers do not release microplastic particles into the environment.

2. Cost Efficiency:

• Long-Term Savings: Although the initial cost of cloth diapers may be higher, they lead to significant savings in the long run as they can be reused.
• Resale Value: Well-maintained cloth diapers can be resold or used for additional children, increasing the financial benefit.

3. Health and Comfort:

• Chemical-Free: Cloth diapers contain no harmful chemicals, thus reducing the chance of skin irritations and allergies.
• Breathable: They are more breathable than disposable diapers, leading to a lower risk of diaper rash.
• Adaptability: Many cloth diapers offer adjustable sizes and fits, making them more comfortable for the baby.

4. Aesthetics and Variety:

• Fashionable Designs: Cloth diapers are available in a wide range of colors, patterns, and designs, making them a fashionable accessory.
• Customization: There are various types of cloth diapers, allowing parents to choose the best option for their baby.

5. Community and Support:

• Strong Community: The cloth diaper community is very active and supportive. New parents can gain advice, tips, and tricks from experienced parents.

It's clear that cloth diapers offer a myriad of benefits that go beyond just changing diapers. They represent a conscious choice for the environment, the wallet, and the well-being of your baby.

Each decision for a cloth diaper is a step towards a better future. Not only do they reduce the consumption of petroleum, but they also decrease the amount of waste in landfills. Considering that a single disposable diaper can take up to 500 years to decompose, switching to cloth diapers is a truly sustainable step.

Diapers Without Petroleum – Judes' Cloth Diapers

Are you looking for sustainable diapers but have concerns about switching to cloth diapers? Don't worry, you're in the right place.

Modern cloth diapers are no longer what our grandparents may have told us about from days gone by. No more complicated diapering with muslin cloths, no more constantly leaking diapers, and no washing by hand. Because we at Judes want to make it easier for parents to embrace sustainability, we have developed a cloth diaper that is especially easy to use. 

You use it just like a disposable diaper: take off the used diaper, put on a new one. Well, not quite – instead of throwing the diaper in the trash like a disposable, you put it in the wash and then use it again. 

What Makes Judes Particularly Easy?

Due to the high demand for sustainable products, countless different cloth diaper systems have emerged in recent years. Almost all of them require you to figure out which inserts are right for you and your baby. Aside from different fabrics – which bring different absorbencies – it also deals with the proper folding of the inserts.

That's why we decided to develop a particularly easy system. Our Judes consist of only two parts:

• Inner diaper: Our inner diaper is made of 100% organic cotton and is therefore particularly soft and skin-friendly. It is very absorbent and remains leak-proof for up to twelve hours. This means you can also use our diapers overnight. Flexible cuffs on the thighs and back ensure a perfect fit as well as unrestricted freedom of movement and prevent leaking.
• Waterproof cover: The waterproof cover ensures everything stays inside the diaper. It is made from 100% recycled PUL (a polyurethane-coated, water-repellent fabric) and is completely leak-proof. The cover also features flexible cuffs at the back and legs, thus perfectly adapting to the shape of your child's body. The continuously adjustable Velcro fastener ensures a perfect fit.

These two parts are all you need to take a big step towards sustainability. We would also like to recommend the following accessories:

• Diaper bag: In our diaper bag you can hygienically store used cloth diapers – both at home and on the go. The practical closure also ensures a particularly hygienic washing process: you simply open the zipper at the bottom and put the bag in the washing machine. The diapers fall out of the bag by themselves during the machine's rotation, without you having to touch each one. 
• Washcloths: With our practical washcloths you additionally forgo classic wet wipes, save waste, and protect the environment. The extra-thin cloths are made of 100% organic cotton and gently clean your baby's sensitive areas. Simply moisten them and add some oil if needed. After usage, add the cloths to the diaper laundry. 
• Poo Paper: Starting with the introduction of complementary foods, our Poo Paper is a true game-changer. Since breast milk stool is water-soluble, it can simply be washed in the machine. From the start of complementary feeding, you should ensure that larger amounts of feces don't end up in the machine. Our Poo Paper is placed as the top layer in the diaper, catches the feces, and can be discarded with it in the trash. 
• Booster Inserts: Whether for heavy wetters, at night, on long car rides, or outings – our Booster Inserts provide additional security. Place the insert inside the inner diaper to increase the diaper's absorbency.

The Benefits of Judes at a Glance

• Sustainability: Unlike disposable diapers that generate tons of trash annually, our cloth diapers are reusable and significantly reduce waste. A family can save up to a ton of waste per child with Judes cloth diapers.
• Healthy Skin: Judes cloth diapers are made from breathable materials that prevent skin irritations and diaper rash. They are free from chemicals found in many disposable diapers.
• Earlier Diaper Independence: Children who wear cloth diapers are up to a year earlier diaper-free, as they feel the wetness sooner and learn faster when they need to go to the toilet. The super absorbers in disposable diapers, on the other hand, convey a continuous feeling of dryness to the child and thus delay this step.
• Less Time Consuming: Judes cloth diapers are easy to use and wash. No more constant re-purchasing and no overflowing trash bins. Our diapers are ready to use in no time.
• Cost Savings: Investing in Judes cloth diapers can save families up to €3,000 per child. While disposable diapers must be repeatedly purchased, the one-time purchase of cloth diapers quickly pays off.
• Better Leak Protection: Thanks to our innovative fit and high-quality materials, Judes cloth diapers offer better leak protection, even overnight. The flexible cuffs at the back and legs ensure that the diaper fits comfortably and securely.
• Hygienic: With our Poo Paper, feces can be easily disposed of before washing the diapers. The diaper bag also means you don't have to touch the diapers individually once laundry time comes. Just open the closure and the diapers tumble out in the machine by themselves.
• Comfort: The soft, flexible materials adapt to the child's body and offer maximum wearing comfort without constraint.
• Variety in Design: Our cloth diapers come in various colors and patterns, so there is something for every taste. Children and parents enjoy the beautiful designs.
• Odor Neutral: Compared to disposable diapers, which often spread unpleasant odors, Judes cloth diapers manage these better.

Through these advantages, we at Judes show how simple and effective cloth diapering can be, while protecting the environment and enhancing our children's well-being at the same time.

Convinced? Then find out in our test which set is right for you and your child. Alternatively, we also offer a trial set for you to get to know our diapers. If you have any questions, you can always contact us. We look forward to welcoming you to the Judes Family!