What (Really) Goes Into Sustainable Products That Work

A product with a sustainable label can be very appealing to new parents who want to shift to an earth-friendly lifestyle. For many, as long as the word sustainable, green, or eco-friendly is present, they automatically assume it’s good for their baby. However, many are unaware that these commonly interchangeable terms can mean different things.

So what does it really mean when a product is sustainable? More importantly, what really goes into sustainable baby products that work?

Defining Sustainability

To understand what sustainable truly means, it’s important to define “eco-friendly” and “green” first. Eco-friendly, also known as environmentally-friendly, means a particular product or item does little or no harm to the environment and its ecosystems. On the other hand, green products are often made from recyclable materials or renewable sources and can be recycled once they reach the end of their lifespan. They are also usually durable, low-maintenance, energy-efficient, and biodegradable.

Sustainable products can be both green and eco-friendly, but the key difference is that they are produced ethically and responsibly. This means that sustainable products cause only minimal environmental impact from sourcing materials to create it all the way to disposing of it at the end of its useful lifespan.

Beyond the materials used, how a product is made can also significantly affect its sustainability. This can pertain to how a company manages resources or how much renewable energy is used during manufacturing. Human and socio-economic factors, such as fair worker treatment and safety, also contribute to a product’s overall sustainability. Simply put, products that are sustainable address environmental, human, and socio-economic factors.

If you’re looking for sustainable baby products, here are some of the attributes that you can expect them to have:

Biodegradable

In simple terms, a biodegradable product will eventually break down into its basic components without leaving residual toxins behind. Unlike other products, biodegradable ones will not take years to blend right back into the earth, thereby reducing waste in landfills.

The Mum & You baby wipes are a good example of sustainable baby products that are biodegradable. Aside from being safe for your infant’s delicate skin, these plant-based wipes are made of 99.4% water and naturally-derived viscose fibers, an abundant and renewable cellulosic fiber.

As most parents know, baby wipes are one of the most frequently consumed baby products alongside diapers, contributing to clogging up landfills. Regular, commercially manufactured wet wipes, which are used roughly 10–12 times a day, can form large congealed “fat-bergs” because of their plastic content. However, with the Mum & You biodegradable baby wipes, you won’t have to worry about contributing to the waste in landfills as these can easily break down in as fast as four to six weeks. These wipes also have a prolonged lifespan when unopened, which makes bulk buying a more economical choice. 

Plastic-Free

Plastics are notorious for being used in many commercial products, laundry detergent being one of them. This doesn’t only pertain to their usual packaging. Unbeknownst to many consumers, microplastics are present in the detergents themselves, which can pollute rivers and oceans. Eventually, humans end up unwittingly consuming these microplastics when we eat seafood.

If you want to keep your baby safe from microplastics, choose a plastic-free laundry detergent like the Tru Earth plastic-free laundry detergent sheets. Unlike regular laundry detergent, these do not come in liquid or powder form but as vegan-friendly, paraben-free strips that you can just toss in the wash. Not only do these laundry sheets make spills a thing of the past, but their plastic-free packaging helps reduce fuel consumption for transportation and global-warming carbon emissions. They’re also hypoallergenic and have concentrated cleaning power without being harsh to your baby’s sensitive skin.

Compostable

Compostable products are similar to biodegradable ones, but compostable products break down even faster and leave behind humus, an organic material that helps create healthy soil. Within 90 days or less, compostable products break down, leaving only this nutrient-rich organic material.

Believe it or not, shampoo and soap can be entirely compostable. Ehtique’s shampoo and body wash bar for babies and kids has made this possible with its zero-waste solid bars that leave no trace, right down to the packaging. These bars are also free of soap, sulfates, and palm. Sustainable baby products like these also save on plastic waste and even water consumption, leaving your baby fresh and clean while also keeping the environment healthy.

Non-Toxic

It’s no secret that many products are manufactured using chemicals, fragrances, lotions, or even chlorine bleaching that may cause your baby to experience allergies. Non-toxic, sustainable baby products such as the Seventh Generation baby diapers are free of these chemicals, ensuring that your baby won’t get an allergic reaction. This can be especially important for infants and kids that have extra sensitive skin. With its 12-hour protection and breathable layer that wicks away moisture, these non-toxic baby diapers will help your little one get a good night’s sleep.

Organic

Not all baby clothes are made of premium fabric that can keep their skin safe. A lot of commercially manufactured clothing is treated with dyes and chemicals that can cause allergies and, in severe cases, even burns on your baby’s skin. When choosing booties for your baby, pick a sustainable product like Burt’s Bees Baby unisex booties, made of 100% pure, breathable organic cotton. Not only are these booties soft, but they’re also durable and machine-washable.

Support Sustainability

As new parents, choosing sustainable products will keep both your baby and the environment safe. When choosing sustainable baby products, be sure to look for the important attributes that make an item sustainable, eco-friendly, and green.

Love,

Scooch and Steve