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Composting is the process of breaking down organic waste by microbial digestion to create compost. Compost has many beneficial uses including improving and fertilizing soil. To go through a composting process, organic waste requires the right level of heat, water, and oxygen. In a pile of organic waste, there are millions of tiny microbes that consume the waste, transforming the organic materials into compost. In order to claim that a product is fully compostable, the product has to meet all the requirements in the European Norm EN 13432 and/or the US Standard ASTM D6400. Both specifications require that biodegradable/compostable products completely decompose in a composting setting in a specific time frame, leaving no harmful residues behind.

The definition of biodegradable is that a material is capable of undergoing biological anaerobic or aerobic degradation leading to the production of CO2, H2O, methane, biomass, and mineral salts, depending on the environmental conditions of the process. An important role in biodegradation is played by microorganisms, which are present in the environment and fed mostly by organic waste. However, unlike compostable, the term biodegradable means very little as everything is biodegradable given time. Thus, it is very important to specify the environment where biodegradation is intended to take place.

Nurture Diapers were specifically engineered to be commercially composted in the EarthBaby diaper service system. Their system is unique and some elements that are not compostable are screened off and discarded (landfilled) in the process. Currently, our diaper is not 100% compostable. To our knowledge, there are no diapers in the market that are 100% Certified Compostable. We will continue to strive to create a diaper that is 100% compostable with all elements being certified and being able to break down in a commercial composting setting. We understand not all customers have access to a service that compost diapers but our wish is to continue to align with partners who strive to create more opportunities for these diapers to be composted. Until then, we will continue to provide a diaper that works and works well with the best eco friendly materials on the market that are safe for your baby and safer for the environment.

Nurture wipes can  be commercially composted in the EarthBaby diaper service system. We are currently working on our Certified Compostable certification!

In the EarthBaby’s compost system outside San Francisco. Their system is unique and some elements are screened off and discarded in the process. 

The short answer:
Like ALL things (including food waste, paper and all else), Virtually Nothing.

The more detailed answer:
Elements of the nurture diapers are designed to be composted and returned naturally back to the earth. If the diapers are placed in an “open” or “turned” space like a compost facility the compostable pieces will decompose at a rate similar to other biodegradable materials in the same setting. If diapers are placed in an anaerobic (air-locked) landfill and deprived of oxygen and the existence of the micro-organisms that “eat” naturally biodegradable materials, their ability to decompose will be severely restricted. This is true of all biodegradable materials placed in this setting, including paper, yard waste, and food waste. The majority of landfills in the U.S. are modern anaerobic (air-locked) landfills.

These modern landfills are designed to safely entomb waste and to protect the environment from the liquids and gases that are produced during the very slow breakdown of waste. The impediment of degradation is because the lack of exposure to air, water and sunlight which is needed for degradation. Therefore, by design, modern landfills greatly retard the degradation process to reduce the by-products that might otherwise contaminate groundwater and the air. They are also specially designed so that the land can be used after the landfill is capped and closed. Parks, golf courses and even airports have been built on top of closed landfills!

As a consumer, you should be quite suspicious of any manufacturer making claims that their products will biodegrade, degrade or “go away” quickly in a landfill. There are many Federal and State Regulations preventing false claims such as these.

Supporting companies striving to make a better diaper for every baby and the earth in hopes that more diapers will be composted in the future and more composting sites will open up.

Our diapers are also great because they are super absorbent with superior leak prevention, they are breathable for you baby, there are no inks or dyes, made with a non-toxic wetness indicator, no perfumes, no chlorine, no latex, no lotions, hypoallergenic, and sustainably made with 100% local/Danish wind power certified electricity for facility.