How To Dispose of Soiled Diapers

Wouldn’t it be nice if throwing away the diapers you use a day was as simple as tossing them in the trash? Sadly, for us parents, there are a few extra steps we have to take.

Ideally, you’ll just empty any solids into the toilet, wrap that diaper and used wipes up in a tight ball, and place it into a deodorized diaper pail. However, there are many situations where it’s not that simple.

We’ve outlined what you need to know about disposing your soiled diapers properly. Whether you’re visiting a friend, at a restaurant, on vacation, or you’re concerned about how to minimize your environmental impact, here’s everything you need to know about disposing of diapers responsibly.

Proper Diaper Disposal at Home

First things first, you’ll want to invest in a sturdy diaper bin with a secure lid. Many bins come with a convenient foot pedal or automatic opening mechanism so you can open the bin without using your hands. Keep the bin close to the changing station or wherever you do most of the changing so you can easily toss the used diapers.

You’ll also need diaper pail liners (please don’t throw the soiled diapers right into the plastic bin, it kind of defeats the purpose of having a pail).

A large plastic bag will contain the waste more effectively, prevent spillage, and keep your area more sanitary. All diaper pails are supposed to help mask odors, but another step you can take to ensure no stinky fumes are escaping is to buy pail liners that are lightly scented.

The Essential Steps:

1. Empty solid diaper contents into the toilet.
2. Securely wrap the diaper to contain remaining waste.
3. Dispose of the diaper in a designated diaper bin with a sealed lid.

Once the bin is full, tie it up and take it out to your outdoor trash bin. Deodorize the diaper pail with a spray (like Lysol) and line it with a fresh bag. Manufacturers recommend you clean the pail with soap and water every three months.

Disposing of Diapers Away from Home

When you’re on the go, make sure you’ve got plastic bags of some sort (like grocery bags, doggie bags, etc.) in your diaper bag to dispose of soiled diapers. If possible, wait until you're home to throw them in the trash so you can make sure they’re safely disposed of and you’re not leaving stinky diapers in public places (sometimes you have to, though, and that’s totally okay).

Wet bags are a lifesaver. These zippered, waterproof storage containers are heavy duty and can securely enclose diapers, and they’re easy to stow away in your diaper bag. In a pinch, you can also use plastic Ziploc bags.

If you’ll be away from home for an extended period, you’ll want to be mindful of your surroundings and be considerate of others when disposing of diapers in public spaces.

Recommended Diaper Disposal Locations:

• Your home
• A friend’s outdoor garbage can
• Public restrooms
• Park trash receptacles
• Airplane bathroom facilities

Locations to Avoid Diaper Disposal:

• A doctor’s office
• A friend's bathroom or kitchen trash can
• Small, enclosed spaces with poor ventilation
• Littering outside in the absence of waste bins
• Airplane cabins by giving it to the flight attendant

Pro Tips for Reducing Odor

If conventional diaper disposal methods still find you holding your breath, you may want to try a few next-level steps to minimize odor:

• Roll up used wipes tightly within the diaper and tape it closed with the tabs.
• Freshen the bin with odor-neutralizing baking soda, dryer sheets, and/or deodorizing spray like Febreze. .
• Empty the diaper pail every 2-3 days, sanitizing the bin more often if needed.

How to Minimize Your Environmental Impact

The unfortunate reality is that diapers take up to 450 years to decompose in the landfill, and apart from using reusable diapers, better technology has not yet been developed. If you’re concerned about all those diapers going to a landfill, you do still have greener alternatives to choose from.

Hello Bello offers eco-friendly diapers that are thoughtfully designed to minimize their environmental footprint.

• Our diapers are hypoallergenic and comfortable against your baby’s skin, absorbing up to 50x its weight in fluid.
• Made with fluff pulp and a plant-derived core liner sourced from sustainably managed forests, our diapers are manufactured in the USA using 100% renewable energy.
• Plus, they're shipped in recyclable containers, further reducing waste.
  

In addition, our premium baby wipes are 100% plant-and-water-based, enriched with natural aloe and chamomile, and free from harmful chemicals such as alcohol, parabens, fragrances, sulfates, phthalates, and artificial dyes.

By choosing better quality diapers created with naturally derived materials, you can ensure any waste you’re contributing to the landfills is better for the environment than other optionss.

Why Should You Care About Proper Diaper Disposal?

Did you know that over 100 types of harmful bacteria and viruses can be detected in human excrement, including e. coli, salmonella, and norovirus? Yikes! Many of these pathogens can live outside the body for months and can spread diseases and illnesses to other people. By properly disposing of your dirty diapers, you are practicing good hygiene and protecting you and everyone around you from catching the ick.

Also (as we noted above), if you are hoping to reduce your environmental impact, choosing diapers with naturally derived materials can have a better impact on the lifecycle of the diaper, helping them to break down in the environment faster than their unnatural counterparts.

Fortunately, it’s only a short period that your baby will need such frequent diaper changes. Before you know it, you’ll have a toddler — and it’s off to the training pants and potty chair.