How to reduce your baby’s garbage footprint

Babies arrive with nothing more than their exquisite little bodies. And then we surround them with vast amounts of stuff, most of which we will eventually toss out. Is it all necessary? Here are some steps to reducing your baby’s garbage footprint.

Disposable versus cloth

According to Environment Canada, more than four million disposable diapers are discarded in Canada each day. Experts estimate that it takes 500 years for a disposable diaper to decompose in a landfill. A cloth diaper can be reused 150 times before being thrown away. Whether or not cloth diapers are your preference, if you want to reduce your baby’s garbage footprint, cloth is the clear choice.

Breast is best

Every bottle of formula milk affects the environment - from boiling the water to the metal, paper and plastic used to package the milk powder. Not only that, but cattle farming needs large areas of pasture and significantly contributes to the problem of acid rain. Breastfeeding, if possible for you, is the environmentally friendly route to take.

Rethink the baby wipes

Most baby wipes take several hundred years to break down. Considering the total number of wipes used over a baby's life has been estimated at about 5,000, that's a lot of landfill. Cut down on the number of wipes you use and try alternatives whenever you can – for example, a damp cloth in a plastic bag is handy for quick face wipes when you're out and about with your baby.

Don't throw it away

Babies grow so quickly that most of their gear does not have time to wear out. Most items in your layette can be saved as heirlooms, given away as special gifts, or even sold online or to a local second hand store. Toys that are in good shape can be donated as well.

To trim your weekly household garbage, compost your baby’s leftovers. You can compost fruit scraps and vegetable peelings, and egg shells (but not animal or dairy products). After 6-12 months this waste could turn into a crumbly, rich fertilizer for your flower beds, vegetable garden and hanging baskets.

Avoid buying baby food and other products wrapped in excess packaging. Recycle as much waste paper, glass, metal and plastic as you can.

Remember the basics

Reduce, reuse and recycle has been the motto of the green movement for years. It can be hard to remember those simple steps when confronted with an entire aisle of baby goods at the nearest super store. Advertisers know that having a baby is a life event that prompts many people to evaluate and change brands. Don't be side tracked by the latest and greatest deal being offered to you. Save your money and impact for special gifts, gear, and clothes that you will treasure. And side step the push for you to expand your baby's garbage footprint!

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