Does an ‘Eco-Friendly’ Diaper Really Exist?

A typical disposable diaper consists of multiple layers:

Top sheet: This innermost layer provides a soft feel against a baby’s skin.

Acquisition layer: Moving inward, the acquisition layer temporarily holds waste until it can be dispersed into the core absorbent layer.

Core absorbent layer: The diaper core holds and generally locks in liquid, keeping the surface and baby’s skin dry.

Back sheet: The outermost layer of the diaper, also called the outer cover, provides a waterproof barrier to help prevent leaks. 

Diapers are made up of more than just these layers of waste-containing materials. Waist closure systems and leg cuffs provide structure to keep the diaper securely fastened, and the various layers are typically bound together using adhesives. Many diapers also contain inks or pigments to enhance the whiteness of materials or to create designs, wetness indicators that alert caregivers to moisture by changing colors, and fragrances to mask odors. Some diaper top sheets also contain added lotions or ointments.

So what materials are used to make all these diaper components? Here’s a guide to the most common materials you might find listed on a diaper package.

Plastic materials and super absorbent polymers: The bulk of most disposable diapers is simply plastic that goes by different names. Some may be easily recognizable as plastics, but others—like polyester, elastane, and spandex—you might think of as fabric, even though technically they’re a form of plastic as well. Here are some common materials you’ll see on diaper labels:

• Polypropylene (PP)
• Polyethylene (PE)
• Polyester/Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
• Polylactic acid (PLA)
• Elastane
• Spandex
• Polyolefin
• Sodium polyacrylate
• Sodium acrylate
• Polyacrylic acid
• Super absorbent polymers (SAPs)

These terms refer to the type of chlorine used as part of the process of creating a diaper’s absorbent pulp core. Here’s how these terms came to be used, and what the difference is.

Before the 1960s, the primary method of bleaching pulp used chlorine in its elemental form. This process generated significant chemical byproducts that were linked to environmental and health concerns. Because of that, some manufacturers have transitioned to different bleaching processes. One is called elemental chlorine free (ECF) and is named to indicate that the process doesn’t use elemental chlorine, as the outdated pre-1960s process did. But to make matters confusing, the process does use a chlorine derivative called chlorine dioxide as the bleaching agent. The other bleaching process, called total chlorine free (TCF), is, as the name suggests, as it sounds. Manufacturers skip chlorine completely and use alternatives like oxygen and ozone to bleach materials.

Because these materials are found in the core of a diaper and don’t come in contact with a baby’s skin, the concern when it comes to the bleaching process is really about their environmental impact. TCF may be a better choice when considering water, chemical, and energy use, and byproducts from manufacturing. Because diapers are made up of about 35 to 50 percent cellulose, wood pulp, and/or fluff pulp, and over 4 million tons of infant and adult diapers are disposed of every year in the U.S., choosing a diaper with a more sustainable manufacturing process might actually have a positive affect on the environment. But TCF might lead to a heftier price on a box of diapers. In our analysis, we found that companies that marketed their products as using a TCF process were slightly more than one and a half times more expensive per diaper. And the most expensive diaper was almost 5 times as expensive as the least expensive. Cost is important for many families, and choosing a diaper using TCF might not align with your budget. It’s just one consideration when shopping for a more sustainable diaper.

Because the inner core of most diapers is composed of cellulose and pulp derived from trees, they have an impact not just on our landfills but on our forests, too. Look for diapers that are manufactured using sustainably sourced materials to reduce some of this affect.

Cotton: This is sometimes used in the top sheet and back sheet of diapers. Look for cotton that’s labeled certified organic to avoid potential pesticide residue. 

Adhesives: Adhesives hold the various layers and components of a diaper together, but you’ll very rarely find the ingredients in them disclosed by diaper companies. Rather, vague terms like “adhesives” or “glue” are usually listed on packaging. Of the products we reviewed, the few that did disclose adhesives listed primarily petroleum-derived adhesives like thermoplastic polymers (which can include polyolefin-based adhesives), hydrocarbon resins, and synthetic rubber. Some products we evaluated, like Pampers Pure and Freestyle Skin Shield Diapers, also use rosin-based adhesives from trees.

Polyurethane: Polyurethane is typically used in two capacities in diapers: in the form of a film that provides a waterproof barrier and/or in the form of a polyurethane elastic that can be used in the leg cuffs or waist closure systems. Polyurethane is a best-in-class waterproofer when compared with other options like PFAS, but the material isn’t biodegradable.

Calcium carbonate: This mineral is manufactured into film form to provide breathability in the back sheet.

Wetness indicators: These are popular features in diapers, but it’s unlikely you’ll see the materials used in them disclosed on the packaging. Of the products we analyzed that had wetness indicators, only two gave any indication of what they were made from. Both listed bromocresol green, a dye that changes colors with pH shifts. One also listed “hydrocarbon resin,” which is a nonspecific umbrella term for petroleum-derived resins—VP/VA copolymer and ethylene/acrylic copolymer—in addition to bromocresol green.

Lotion and ointment: Some products include lotions or ointments added to the top sheet to provide skin conditioning. The most common ingredients we saw were petrolatum and mineral oil (both petroleum-derived ingredients), stearyl alcohol, aloe extract, and other plant extracts.

Fragrance: Due to trade secret laws, the ingredients that make up fragrance formulations don’t need to be listed on packaging in the U.S. That means formulations might contain hundreds of ingredients but just list umbrella terms like “fragrance” and “parfum” on packaging. Because fragrance ingredients are associated with numerous health effects like allergies, reproductive toxicity, developmental toxicity, and skin sensitization, consumers may be exposed to problematic ingredients without even knowing it. Some diapers contain fragrances to mask odors. None of the three products we reviewed that contained fragrances disclosed the ingredients.

Inks and pigments: Of the 31 diaper products we analyzed, only two companies, Kudos and Healthybaby, disclosed the inks they used to create diaper designs. The remaining companies listed umbrella terms like “inks,” “pigments,” and “printing inks.” Some made claims like “made without lead and heavy metals,” “skin safe,” “non-toxic,” and “non-sensitizing,” But it’s impossible to evaluate those claims.

Diaper packaging keeps parents guessing, with the level of transparency varying wildly. Some companies are committed to product transparency, listing diaper components and ingredients in considerable detail, but many of the packages or websites we analyzed left a lot to be desired. Seven of the 31 diaper ingredients lists we looked at had very little information or none at all about product materials at the time of our analysis, and only two disclosed every or almost every material and component. Most of the remaining companies disclosed some materials, but not all, and many didn’t include how materials were used.

This lack of transparency comes after a New York state law passed in December 2024 and enacted in December 2025 that requires that all diapers sold in the state must include a list of ingredients on packaging, a result of lawmakers observing poor disclosure in the diaper industry. While the law applies only to New York, other states may see the benefits too, as packaging changes are often nationwide. New diaper ingredient transparency legislation recently introduced in California and supported by Consumer Reports may mean changes to diaper packages in that state as well.

Materials against a baby’s skin: Diapers touch your baby’s skin in three areas: the top sheet, which is the material that covers the inside of the diaper right against your baby’s bottom; the waistband; and the leg cuffs. When it comes to the waistband and leg cuffs, plastic-based materials are common.

You have a little more control over the top sheet, which also represents more surface area. The best option is an organic cotton or plant-based fiber top sheet, or a conventional cotton top sheet that has been tested for pesticide residue. If that’s not available, plastic materials like polypropylene or polyester that have been tested for chemical residue are the next best thing. Looking for Oeko-Tex certification or EWG verified materials helps ensure that the product has been tested for harmful substances like pesticides, phthalates, VOCs, and more.

Material disclosure: Look for companies that disclose as many materials as possible and how they’re used in the diaper’s construction. The truth is, you’re unlikely to find diaper companies that disclose inks, wetness indicators, and adhesives, so if you find one that does, give it bonus points. But the bare minimum should be disclosing all other components in the remainder of the diaper: top sheet, back sheet, absorbent core, fragrance, lotion, leg cuffs, and closure system.

Fragrance-free: Fragrance is a component of diapers that’s not technically necessary and adds to chemical exposure. Skip fragranced diapers to avoid unknown chemicals that may be associated with health concerns.

Total Chlorine Free (TCF) processing: To alleviate some impact on the environment, choose diapers that use a total chlorine-free process. 

Sustainable forestry practices: The absorbent core of diapers is partly made from trees. Support sustainable forestry practices by looking for diapers certified to standards like those set by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

We reviewed 31 disposable diapers (focusing on models that received a CR rating of 60 or higher) for processing, plastic composition, top sheet composition, and transparency. While we didn’t find a perfectly eco-friendly disposable diaper, here are our favorite choices, including what we liked and how they could be better for the environment.

We asked BabyCozy to provide a complete list of materials in its Bouncy Soft Baby Diapers, including their functions, because the company listed only two materials on its website. The company shared a more complete ingredients list, including the names of the adhesives it uses, but didn’t provide the purpose of the materials.

Coterie responded to our inquiry to correct a minor error in its materials list. The company didn’t disclose further information about the materials that weren’t disclosed, which includes the adhesives and wetness indicator.

Costco, the maker of Kirkland Signature Diapers, chose not to provide further diaper information: “Unfortunately, we will pass on participating in your Diaper Transparency Review and must respectfully decline at this time.”

Kudos confirmed that the ingredients list on its website was complete. While the website doesn’t list the purpose of every material, the company did disclose this information to Consumer Reports, including details about the adhesives, wetness indicators, and pigments. 

Procter & Gamble, the makers of Pampers, Luv’s, and BumbBum, responded to our inquiry by correcting minor errors in the materials lists. The company didn’t provide further information on materials that weren’t disclosed, including adhesives, pigments, fragrances, and wetness indicators. “Safety is our top priority and every ingredient we use is intentionally selected in collaboration with our dedicated safety and medical experts,” the company said. “All our ingredients have a specific role in delivering the performance consumers expect from our products, and every material has been rigorously tested beyond regulatory compliance to ensure every ingredient’s safety.”

Parasol shared a robust list of materials with Consumer Reports, which aligned with the list on the company’s website. But it didn’t disclose the materials in the diaper’s pigments or wetness indicator.

Pura Baby directed us to the ingredients list on its website. But the names of the adhesives and pigments aren’t disclosed. The company didn’t provide information about the functions of the various materials in its Diapers for Sensitive Skin. 

The other companies—Bamboo Nature, Cuties, Earth & Eden, EveryLife, Freestyle, HealthyBaby, Hello Bello, Huggies, Mama Bear, Member’s Mark, Parent’s Choice, Millie Moon, Rascal’s, and Up&Up—didn’t respond to our request for information.