MadSci Network: Environment & Ecology
Query:

Re: How do biodegradable diapers work?

Date: Thu Aug 10 14:17:14 2000
Posted By: Enrico Uva, Secondary School Teacher Chemistry, Physical Science
Area of science: Environment & Ecology
ID: 959953883.En
Message:

The first biodegradable diapers contained plastic mixed with starch so 
that bacteria would degrade the starch and leave much smaller bits of 
plastic behind. In any case, plastic does not make up the majority of a 
diaper’s volume, so that with or without biodegradeables, diapers continue 
to make up 2% of our total solid waste in landfills.(Handy  Science Answer 
Book. Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. 1994) 

Japanese nonwovens producer Shinwa and Kanebo Gohsen have jointly 
developed Haibon, a biodegradable nonwoven made with polylactic acid 
resin...( http://www.technical-textiles.net/technical-textiles-
index/htm/o996m3a.htm), but  I don’t have access to the full article, so I 
can't say whether this is a viable solution.

Cleaning cloth diapers is terribly inconvenient for consumers and it still 
consumes energy ( machine and hot water) and detergents. But it reduces 
the risk of groundwater contamination from landfills containing human 
waste.

Did I use them for my kids? Yeah for about a week.



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