How to Dispose of Diapers?

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How to Dispose of Diapers

If you have a baby on board, then the most burning question in your life right now has to be: How to dispose of diapers?

Don’t worry; you are not the only one scratching their head over what’s the right way to dispose of baby diapers.

We have prepared a detailed guide to answer this crucial question, so keep reading further.

Why Is It Essential to Properly Dispose of Diapers?

It is a lesser-known fact that disposing of diapers in the trash or diaper pail is NOT the right way.

Unfortunately, most people are unaware of the correct diaper disposal method, and this lack of awareness leads to several consequences.

First of all, discarding dirty diapers in the trash poses a potential health risk as it adds to environmental pollution.

The ideology of disposing of dirty diapers is strictly looked down upon by the World Health Organization.

At the same time, it is not considered illegal by law to dispose of dirty diapers in the trash. However, as per WHO’s guidelines, it causes a grave threat to marine life in the long run.

In addition to this, diapers are also non-biodegradable, which means that they will further add to environmental pollution and contribute to climate change.

The average lifespan it takes to decompose a dirty diaper is around 500 years.

According to statistics, almost 20 billion diapers end up in US landfill sites every year.

This number is alarming enough to make each of us reconsider our choices of disposing of dirty diapers.

The correct method begins with disposing of baby poop in the toilet before you trash the diaper in the garbage. In fact, this information is also mentioned on all diaper packs, which most parents conveniently ignore.

If you skip this crucial step when disposing of dirty diapers, it can result in dirty diapers going straight to the landfill.

From this point onwards, it’s just a matter of time that the fecal matter from these diapers makes its way back to groundwater.

To avoid this environmental catastrophe, it is imperative that you follow the proper steps of disposing of dirty diapers.

Be it cloth diapers, commercial or bio-degradable ones, and there is a proper way of disposing of all sorts of diapers.

Step-by-Step Guide: How To Dispose Of Dirty Diapers

Below is a step by step guide on how to dispose of diapers the right way:

Step 1 – Discard Poop in the Toilet

We have already shed light on how important it is to follow this step before you decide to dispose of your dirty diapers in the trash.

You will start with dumping all the diaper content in the toilet and rinsing it to get rid of all fecal matter.

Make sure that you flush the toilet afterward.

Step 2 – Rolling the Diaper

After you are done removing all fecal matter from the diaper, make sure that you pack and roll up the diaper in a proper manner.

You can do this in the usual manner where you roll the front of the diaper in the way that it goes all the way back.

Then use the sticky tapes on the sides to secure the diaper. Make sure there are no leakages or loose ends.

Step 3 – Seal Pack the Diaper

This is a crucial step essential for sealing the diaper safely and securely.

This step also ensures that all the foul odors of the diaper will remain locked inside the container.

When it comes to choosing a safe disposal container for diapers, several options are available. Here is a list of the most common ones:

Diaper Pail

A diaper pail serves the purpose of a waste bucket used to dispose of diapers.

A diaper pail is a handy tool as it can be attached next to a baby diaper changing station or nursery.

A good quality diaper pail comes with a lid that helps seal the odor of the diapers to prevent them from spreading in your house.

This method also saves you the hassle of mixing diaper trash with regular trash, so you do not have to deal with any mess, leakages, or cross-contamination later on.

Zip Lock Bags

Another handy way of seal packing diapers is by placing them inside disposable bags.

This method also helps lock the odor from the diapers and reduces the risks of cross-contamination.

Using zip lock bags is a convenient solution, especially if you are traveling. To save costs, it is recommended that you buy zip lock bags in bulk.

Old Plastic/Paper Bags

If you support a sustainable lifestyle, recycling and reusing old plastic or paper bags are the perfect solution when it comes to disposing of diapers.

The best part about using this option is that every household has old plastic bags lying in their home, reducing wastage.

You simply have to place the rolled diaper inside an old plastic or paper bag and seal it tightly before you dispose of it off in the trash.

Moreover, there is also an option to buy biodegradable diaper bags that help get rid of the smell and help reduce environmental pollution.

Therefore, you can consider buying such bags in bulk if you want to avoid using plastic bags.

Pet Poop Bags

If you own a pet, especially a dog, you must have a roll of plastic bags that are used for disposing of their poop.

Similarly, you can use these pet poop bags to seal pack baby diapers, especially if you have infants or toddlers.

This option comes in handy if you cannot find any zip-lock bags or already have a poop bag roll lying around in the house.

Airplane Bags

Airplane bags, also known as airsickness bags, should be used for disposing of diapers if you are traveling.

This step is crucial before you dispose of the baby diaper in the airplane bathroom to avoid creating an additional mess.

Step 4 – Time to Dispose of the Diapers

The final step is to dispose of the sealed diaper in a safe and proper way.

You can easily dispose of the diaper in your trash if you are at home.

However, if you are outside your home, you can consider the following options:

  • Dispose of the sealed diaper in public bathrooms
  • Dispose of the sealed diaper in the trash can of parks
  • Dispose of the sealed diaper in the airplane’s bathroom
  • Dispose of the sealed diaper at an outdoor garbage can

Step 5 – Post Diaper Disposal Aftercare

The last and most important step to follow after disposing of diapers is washing your hands.

You need to ensure that your hands are thoroughly cleaned and free from all bacteria and fecal germs.

It is recommended that you use a good quality antibacterial sanitizer after washing your hands to prevent the further spread of germs.

Health Risks Associated with Improper Diaper Disposal

As we discussed earlier, improper disposal of dirty diapers can pose severe health hazards as well as an environmental hazard.

Here is a list of the most common viruses that may spread due to improper disposal of dirty diapers:

  • Polio
  • Gastrointestinal viruses
  • Hepatitis
  • E. coli.
  • Salmonella
  • Hepatitis
  • Adenovirus
  • Astrovirus
  • Enterovirus
  • Sapovirus
  • Norovirus
  • Rotavirus

Final Thoughts on Diaper Disposal

We hope you enjoyed reading this extensive guide on ‘How to dispose of diapers?’

The next time you are changing your baby’s diaper, make sure to follow the above-mentioned valuable tips to reduce all the health risks associated with improper disposal of diapers.

On a side note, you may also consider exploring biodegradable diapers that are an alternative solution to disposable diapers.

They are not only eco-friendly but also safer for your baby’s health.

So, which disposal method do you prefer? Please, share with us in the comments section below.

Keep watching this space for more useful guides on disposal and waste management.

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