Amsterdam - Washable diapers contribute to a better environment, a Dutch foundation for the protection of the environment said Tuesday. Spokesman Hans van Dijk of the non-gouvernmental organisation Milieu Centraal in Utrecht said new research demonstrated washable diapers were substantially better single-use for for the environment.
"Contrary to all previous studies that looked primarily at the damage to the environment - starting from the moment a customer buys one type of diaper or another - our study also looked at the production process, including transportation," he said.
"Although multi-useable diapers need to be washed, which also puts a strain on the environment, we found that washable diapers are up to seven times better for the environment than single-use diapers."
Children use an average 5,000 diapers until they are potty- trained, which is on average at the age of 3,2 years, Milieu Centraal says.
"Washable diapers also have an extra advantage," says Van Dijk. "Children are potty-trained at a substantially younger age."
