Staying Green When You Manage Incontinence with Absorbent Products

Great suggestions regarding an important topic. Just yesterday I was thinking about posting on this same issue after coming across the website of a "green diaper" company (I don't wish to violate any standards of promoting or advertising on this forum so people can search the particular item quite easily).

Anyway, the company website has a demonstration video (also on YouTube.com) showing how this particular baby diaper system involves a "flushable" disposable liner core that is used along with a reusable pant-like diaper cover. Unfortunately, I am unaware of anything similarly available for practical use by incontinent adults. 

The larger point to this would be that in addition to being eco-friendly, such a product might perhaps have an additional advantage of being easier to dispose of by the "bladder/bowel challenged" consumer as well.

Jasmine raises a very good issue but I don't think the currently available alternatives are viable for most of us. 

1) reuseables:  I have tried the reuseable underpants (the types with the built in absorbent pad over the waterproof barrier).  They leaked badly.  I think they are better suited for the female anatomy and for very light leakage.   Using a cloth diaper requires plastic/rubber pants to be worn over them.  No thanks!   The comfort and humiliation factors are way too high for me.  Also, the Continence nurse that I see strongly recommends disposables as the better choice to avoid skin breakdown.

2) "super absorbent" disposables:  These briefs definitely hold a lot and require fewer changes.  I use them at night but they really are too thick and bulky for an active person like myself to wear during the day and in public.

3) inserts (booster pads):   I have tried these with limited success.   When used with disposable underwear (pull-ups) they are easy to change but the added bulk seems to alter the fit enough to create side leakage.   Perhaps another anatomy issue.   They work fine with briefs (tabbed diaper style) but are real difficult to remove and replace.

Hopefully someone will come up with a better product!

When an unfortunate injury left me totally incontinent over 30 years ago, reusable products where the only option. The most convenient way was to use a diaper service. While most diaper services have been forced out of business by disposables, some do continue to exist, especially here on the west coast. Fortunately for me, the same diaper service has supplied me with comfortable and highly effective adult cloth diapers for all these years. Yes, one does have to wear a waterproof panty over the diaper, but it really is not a discomfort.

I do wear disposables when away from home for long periods or when on vacation, but otherwise I use the soft comfortable cloth diapers.

Yes, the green issue comes to play with the fuel the diaper delivery van uses, the water and soap at the laundry facility, but the landfill is not being filled with plastic and wet polymer fibers that will not decay for many years.

While a diaper service is not for every incontinent, for those that want to manage in a green way, it is a viable option.

Thanks for your post, I can relate to some of the issues you raised.

First, I distinctly recall a conversation in which I said "I feel guilty about putting so many pads into the trash." And that was when I only needed pads, and even that only occasionally!

Second, you mentioned money, and another side effect of my issues getting worse is that  money has become a factor in a way that it wasn't at first: when I did buy in quantity, I did notice the environmental savings (as well, of course, as the long term financial savings). 

Ultimately, as my counselor points out,  my health and well being has to come first, of course, but I still feel guilty that my health problem is also hurting the environment.

(Last, a side issue: you referred to "diapers": I suppose that's what they are, though the euphemism "adult briefs" somehow makes me feel less uncomfortable).  

Thanks.  

It its apparent than ease and convenience has replaced concerns over both saving and poluting the earth . I have always favored recycling and reuse of products to not only save precious dollars, but to do my small part to ensure that future generations have a clean and safe environment. Jasmine, your bring the "Green" issue to those of us suffering from incontinence is most appropriate.

When I became incontinent some years ago, I was shocked at the volume of waste my disability created. Each week I filled the garbage can with 30-40 used diapers, until I one day woke up. Remembering that I used a diaper service for both of our children, I got up the courage to call the service and ask if there was such a thing as adult cloth diapers. To my surprise, the answer was yes, and that the diaper service would be pleased to supply my needs. Not only is the cost less than disposables, the comfort and protection are better than disposables for my level of incontinence. Yes, I must always wear a waterproof panty over the diaper, but the new nylon or vinyl coated fabrics are nothing like the rubber pants of old. They are soft and light, and provide completed security.

Until I read Carole's comment, I have often thought that I am the only adult using a diaper service. Well. I guess there must be many of us.

Jasmine, I don't know if you've met others like us, but if ever asked, tell any incontinent interested in helping to create a more green society  to consider this alternative to disposables and their resulting waste of natural resources and taking up landfill space. It is also a hassle free way to handle the needs of incontinence management.

Just wanted to add my wish for a green environment, and the positive of using reusable incontinent supplies. I am also a long time adult cloth diaper service customer. They provide me with total protection and comfort. When away from home and wearing disposables, at each change I fret about throwing my used diaper in the waste bin knowing it will just add to the massive waste stream But,when the diaper service truck comes each Friday, I know that my diapers will be gently washed and returned for reuse again and again.

I work for a company called BioDerm that manufactures( in the USA) an external continence device that replaces diapers, is biodegradable and covered by Medicare, the VA, most Medicaids and Private Insurance. Call 800-373-7006 for more information.

I'm definitely open to suggestions for managing urinary incontinence. I've been wearing disposable diapers all my life (including pull-ups training pants) and I'm more than interested in trying cloth diapers for a change. The problem I have is not so much knowing that others might notice. I wear loose fitting pants and shorts. The problem is that I don't have washer and dryer where I live.