For environmentally-conscious parents, instead of throwing thousands of disposable diapers into the landfill every year, where they will take 500 years to biodegrade, a new company helps to clear your green conscience.
Just ship the baby’s dirty diapers off in the box, or use a local composter, then wash your hands of the whole situation. The first step is, you need to switch to the biodegradable diapers sold by a company called Dyper—and they even ship them to your house.
The manufacturer of responsibly-sourced bamboo diapers has teamed up with one of GNN’s favorite sustainable companies, TerraCycle. TerraCycle has been recycling and composting some of the world’s toughest items—and diapers was a natural target.
The unique recycling program aptly called “ReDyper” starts with a subscription, and includes boxes and bags that meet the United Nations Hazmat shipping specifications, as well as prepaid shipping labels to make the whole process as easy as possible.
“It’s got to be super convenient. It’s got to be, frankly, as close to convenient as possible relative to throwing it out,” TerraCycle CEO Tom Szaky, told Fast Company.
After they arrive at TerraCycle’s facilities, they go on to industrial composting facilities that TerraCycle partners with to be turned mostly into compost for things like the landscaping on highway median strips.
Unfortunately, as diaper companies compete with each other, supposed innovations like infused lotions, latex cores, or plastic fasteners (made from phthalates for greater flexibility and toughness) have greatly reduced the biodegradability of the modern diaper. Dyper makes theirs without any of these chemical agents, ensuring minimal environmental damage, more natural ingredients, and quickest composting time.
“We talked to many moms that wish that they had that opportunity to compost, because they’re living in New York City in an apartment on the 24th floor and they have no option to do that,” said Taylor Shearer, content manager at Dyper.
Dyper.com says that each monthly subscription costs $68 for 260 diapers, and it includes free shipping to your door—and the company gives a 10% discount to members of the military. They will ship samples for $4 so you can check out the quality, but receive a credit if you end up buying.
Returning your used diapers for composting costs an additional $39, but includes all the boxes, bags, and labels. This is an add-on service because you might be able to find a composting facility or company near you, like those available in San Francisco, or you can do it yourself in the back field.
RELATED: Revolutionary New Recycling Method for Plastic and Waste is Solving Two Problems With One Stream
Because 3.5 million tons of diapers are tossed into the trash every year, any diaper recycling program is sorely needed—and welcome as a newborn baby.
SHARE a New Solution to One of the World’s Toughest Problems With Parents on Social Media…