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If you’re an earth-loving parent on the hunt for the next best thing to cloth diapers that doesn’t involve washing literal crap out of them every day, eco-friendly disposable diapers are here to save the day. Of course, being disposable is inherently less eco-friendly than being a washable diaper-shaped cotton wad that gets reused until your kid is potty-trained and then passed along to your next kid. But honestly, who has the time, energy, or washing machine power to do the cloth diapers thing in 2022? Okay, if you’re a cloth diapering eco-warrior superhuman, absolutely more power to you. I salute you! But back to the task at hand: Making our Bad Disposable Diaper-Using Parent environmental impact just a teensy, weensy bit Less Bad with the help of the best eco-friendly disposable diapers out there.
We’ve already shared a ton of amazing eco-friendly baby products that are good for your kid and good for the planet, but diapers can be the one remaining eco-thorn in your side. After all, a baby goes through so many diapers in a day, over so many days, over so many years before they’re finally truly potty-trained. And with all the plastic in run-of-the-mill diaper brands, it’s enough to make a busy parent feel like we’re singlehandedly dooming our planet to die.
Not so with the eco-friendly disposable diapers on the market today. Crafted from sustainably sourced and (this part is key) biodegradable ingredients such as bamboo and organic cotton, the brands we’ve rounded up make eco-friendly disposable diapers that are gentle on your baby’s sensitive butt while also being gentle on our planet. And in 2022, being a little kinder to the planet is the very least we can do. Unless, you know, you’re going to do cloth diapers. In which case, can we interest you in some of these eco-friendly cleaning brands that are also kid-safe? Because smart parents know to keep all the spray cleaners nearby for any diaper-changing mishaps — and hey, that holds true whether you’re cloth diapering or using alllllll the cute eco-friendly disposable diapers ahead.
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A version of this story was originally published in August 2020.
EWG-verified
Healthynest founder Shazi Visram set out to create the first EWG-verified disposable diaper — and after three years and more than 900 lab tests, she did. But healthynest diapers aren’t just an eco-friendly option, they’re designed with performance in mind: proprietary “magic channels” and flash-dry technology keep baby 30 percent drier, while super-soft organic cotton is soft on your baby’s bottom.
The best dipes & wipes combo
We were already fans of EcoPea’s bamboo baby wipes, and the brand’s earth-friendly disposable diapers do not disappoint. Like the wipes, they’re made from sustainable bamboo with no nasties but with all the moisture-locking properties. Even the packaging is biodegradable — and the shipping process is carbon neutral.
Honestly superb
We love Honest for its delightful diaper prints, but also for its ability to go hard on eco-friendliness without skimping on fit, security, or dreaded leaks. This little bad-stuff-free diaper holds more than 17 times its own weight in pee, and that’s saying a lot!
Even easier: compost it
Dyper’s diapers come in a subscription model and boast what other brands can’t: They’re crafted with Bamboo viscose fibers (responsibly sourced, renewable, and biodegradable, natch) and you can actually compost them. Talk about saving on landfill time, these can even help your garden grow! Weird, but wonderful.
Designed to keep baby bottoms happy
Bambo Nature’s soft diapers are super comfy for your kiddo — and they’re not rough on Mother Earth, either. There’s a total of zero chemicals or perfumes in them, so they’re great for allergies or just plain-old (young?) sensitive skin.
A pretty package, too
Earth + Eden makes a lot of great stuff and these diapers are no exception. They’re free from lotions, latex, bleaching, you name it — and made with SFI Certified sustainably sourced diaper fluff (yes, that’s a thing). Both diapers and box are printed with water-based inks, and everything is produced in a zero waste to landfill factory. And yet they still promise up to 12 hours of superior leak protection. Beat that.
Diapers that support St. Jude’s
Yep, Andy Pandy diapers are a “Partner in Hope” providing proceeds towards kids in care at St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Why not help a child heal while helping your kid’s diaper rash heal thanks to Andy Pandy’s latex-, PVC-, TBT- and phthalate-free diapers?
An eco-value
You might already know Earth’s Best for their baby foods, and it’s high time you hopped on the Earth’s Best diaper train. The brand’s earth-friendly diapers are a great quality for a major value. They come in seven sizes, all hypoallergenic and free from the baddies: chlorine, fragrance, dye, latex, etc.
Diapers that tell stories
Now how’s this for an adorable diaper gimmick: Nappy Chat’s diaper designs help you tell stories to your baby, inspiring you to have a literal “nappy chat” and bond while you’re, um, wiping. Plus they’re made from wood pulp (yep, for real) from responsible forestry. Too much fun!
Chlorine-free
Offspring’s diapers are just right for your sweet, sensitive…offspring. They’re oh-so soft, and their woodpulp core is naturally absorbent. They’re also FSC-Certified, Dermatest certified, vegan and cruelty-free.
With 0% oil-based plastic
No petroleum-based plastics here! Just pure eco-friendly, vegan goodness made from renewable materials. Oh, and ECO by Naty diapers are made in Sweden, of course. Just like so much very good parenting advice.
Premium and plant-based
This 100% plant-based, hypoallergenic pick boasts biodegradable ingredients (wood, cane, and bamboo). But better yet, it also has that trusted wetness indicator strip feature we love; the one that changes colors when the diaper is wet, but which is often only found on somewhat yuckier (read: non-earth-friendly) diaper brands. Best of both worlds!
With added aloe
Eco Boom’s soft plant-based bamboo diapers are chemical-free and come with the addition of aloe for extra-softness against Baby’s skin. They’re available in sizes from newborn all the way up through potty-training pull-ups, too.
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