Diaper pads they claim you can flush

Published 4:53 pm Monday, September 8, 2008

It sounds like an eco-minded parent’s fantasy: a diaper that’s good for the environment and conveniently flushable.

You read that right, a flushable diaper.

The “flushable diaper system” called gDiapers consists of a washable outer pant and an absorbent inner pad.

When it’s time to ditch the soiled diaper, parents tear the pad open, plop it in the toilet, stir using a “swishstick” and flush.

The outer pant gets washed like a regular cloth diaper.

The diapers have no elemental chlorine or perfumes and the pad material is fine for wastewater facilities, the company says. Pads that are just wet (not the ones with poo) can be composted at home.

But hold that flush. Older plumbing systems may not handle the diapers, and if you don’t tear and swish, the diaper could jam the pipes, the Portland, Ore.-based company warns.

Local wastewater treatment workers aren’t thrilled about flushable diapers. Don’t flush anything down the toilet that isn’t toilet paper or the waste the system was designed for, said Marla Carter, an Everett Public Works manager.

This particular product hasn’t been a problem for the city’s system yet, she said. But the city is concerned the liner will clog pumps and the absorbent material inside won’t easily break down.

You can find gDiapers at retailers such as Fred Meyer and Sno-Isle Natural Foods Co-op.

The starter kits contain two washable pants, 10 flushable pads and one swishstick for $24.99. Refill packs cost $13.99 and contain 40 small flushables or 32 medium/large flushables.

For more information, go to www.gdiapers.com.

Reporter Debra Smith: 425-339-3197 or dsmith@heraldnet.com

What local parents say

Jodie Blas of Lake Stevens finds the concept “pretty awesome,” but the swizzling in the toilet routine is a pain.

Eve Riley, who lives outside Snohomish, said they’re cute and fit her infant, Austin, just fine. “Austin has fat little legs and the elastic on the disposables always rubbed. These have soft leg holes, like a sweat shirt cuff, and the whole diaper is breathable.”

Tim Robbins of Camano Island recommends gDiapers to other parents with a few caveats. Parents have to spend a lot upfront for the liners. Plus, gDiapers aren’t available everywhere, and if you run out, it’s a pain to restock. He doesn’t buy into flushing them, but his family does compost the wet liners. The company claims the pads can break down in the compost in 50 to 150 days. Robbins has found they disappear in about three or four months. “That’s a whole garbage bag we don’t have to haul to the dump.”