Illustration by Little Friends of Printmaking

I live on an old farmstead and would like to bury diapers in previously disturbed soil, or perhaps compost them. Is there a 100 percent biodegradable disposable diaper?  —Christopher in Byron Center, Michigan

It's a good idea to keep those diapers out of the landfill. With more than 9.5 million kids under age two in the United States, the volume of tossed diapers each year is rather stupendous. They add up to about 3.4 million tons, making them one of our biggest sources of household waste.

For composting, try one of these brands: Naty, Earth's Best Organic, Bambo Nature, or the Honest Company. As a general rule, you should not place disposable diapers in municipal compost bins; always consult with your local recycler on best practices. In some cities you can also join a service that drops off fresh diapers each week and carts the soiled ones away to a composting facility. Burying the diapers is an alternative, as long as you are not planning to grow food on top of the soiled nappies.

Another option to consider is elimination communication—also called natural infant hygiene—which involves recognizing baby's own timing and cues and holding your infant over the toilet when nature calls.

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