While NASA was feverishly working to put a man on the moon, companies such as Proctor and Gamble and Kimberly Clark focused on the evolution of the disposable diaper —an effort that resulted in form-fitting, super-absorbent, self-fastening and reasonably priced products that went by the names of Pampers and Huggies, respectively.
Like magic, diapers could whisk urine away from baby bottoms, protecting them from diaper rash and preventing cranky baby syndrome. Disposable diapers are so effective that they can hold about as much urine as a kid weighs. To behold a two year old ambulating in a loaded diaper not only affirms the toddler's increasing sense of balance, but also to his increasing strength.
And when that disposable diaper has done its job, it gets sealed up into a ball, stuffed into the diaper pail, twisted into a snake of plastic, destined for eternal freshness in the local landfill. That locked-in forever freshness bothers new moms in the new millennium.
"There's something about pregnancy that changes the way a woman thinks and sees the world," said Donna Shiroma Nakasue, of Mililani, who is going to have a baby in September. "Ever since the reality of motherhood hit me, I have been contemplating things that never crossed my mind in the past: Things like organic food, safer cleaning products for my home, and saving the planet."
Nakasue has been researching the pros and cons of disposable and cloth diapers. She's asked friends, posted queries on www.HawaiiMoms.com, and scoured the Internet.
"It seems the benefits of using cloth diapers far outweigh the convenience of disposables in terms of costs, health of the baby, and less harm to the environment," Nakasue said. "All three factors are equally important to me in making this decision."
With two little girls, Jenni Kaleialoha Lancaster, 35, has not only weighed the plusses and minuses of disposables versus cloth diapers, she continues to live by her convictions, keeping her youngest, 11-month-old Emilia Mahealani, in cloth diapers. Lancaster, a 1991 Punahou Schools graduate, now lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband Aaron Lancaster, and their 4-year-old, Ava Anuhea.
"I have really enjoyed using cloth, but I think the fact that I don't have to convince daycare providers or a nanny to use them has made it easier," said Jenni. "My husband has been on board with this from the beginning. Over time he has gone from just using the easy, more disposable-like cloth diapers to using the prefolds. I know that many husbands are turned off by it and that can also be an obstacle."
The Lancasters don't use a diaper service, but they do have a diaper sprayer attached to their toilet.
Consideration was also given to the type of detergent to use to wash the diapers. At the moment, the Lancasters use Charlie's Soap in the washing machine, and Jenni affirms that Trader Joe's powdered detergent has worked well, too.
"So far, we've been rash free," she said.
Fortunately, a variety of diapers are available locally and through the Internet. At 'Umeke Market in Kahala, both 100-percent cotton and environmentally friendly disposable diapers are available.
According to its Web site, both Mothers Diapers and Tushies Diapers are available at the store. Staff member Raymi said the demand for their diapers is quite high and she is confident customers would be livid if they weren't available.
"Here at 'Umeke Market Natural Foods & Deli, we offer cloth-like disposable diapers for baby's health and mother's convenience," she said. "The diapers we offer are made without chlorine, dyes and perfumes."
Kale's Natural Foods in Hawaii Kai offers diapers from Seventh Generation and gDiaper. The gDiaper is a two-part system where the inner liner, once used, can be dumped and flushed in the toilet. No need to save a diaper and its poop for the landfill. Seventh Generation diapers are made of chlorine-free wood pulp fluff, with sodium polyacrylate, also referred to as SAP or absorbent gel.
Another alternative is Dolphin Diaper Service, established on Oahu in 1990, which provides a variety of 100-percent cotton diapers. Not only does Dolphin Diaper Service take the load of diapers off your hands, it takes them to a commercial launderer for a quadruple boiling process that incorporates an enzymatic mixture that involves no bleach or chemicals. At a cost of about $88 per month, the average customer uses about 70 diapers a week.
"We understand parents would like to save the environment and would like to use cloth diapers but hate having to wash those stinky diapers time after time," said Anthony Ing, manager of Dolphin Diaper Service. "We take those stinky diapers, get them washed and sterilized better than a residential washer could, and drop them off on your doorstep, clean and ready, all at a price that is hard to beat."
Ing is not the original owner of Dolphin Diaper Service, but he has a philosophy that acknowledges what the earth has become with how it can be improved. As Waimanalo Gulch is being considered for another 15 years of use, Dolphin Diaper Services sees itself as an economical and environmental alternative to loading up the landfill.
"Diapers can be recycled in many different ways," Ing said. "They can be washed and reused about 200 times. Then we sell the ones that are old —with holes and stains — to people who need gentle cloths for waxing, polishing and cleaning. We also sell to surfboard manufacturers, car detailers, car lots, and the general public. Many people continue to ask for our rags because they are soft, soak up easier and clean better. Because they are 100-percent cotton, they tend to not leave streaks like other cloths do."
Gas prices have affected Dolphin Diaper Service to a certain extent, and Ing said that some places outside its regular service routes could see an extra $3 more on their bill.
"But that's still a bargain for saving the environment and getting our service on top of that," Ing said. "As long as more people continue to jump on and use our astounding service in the same areas we are currently servicing, we won't have to increase the prices."
