Eco Pea Diapers Review

Eco Pea Diapers Review 2022: Super Soft, Sustainable and Saving The Planet

If Eco Pea isn’t the cutest name for baby diapers you’ve ever heard, then… of course it is. Formerly named Cutie Pea diapers, the Eco Pea brand is part of the environmentally-friendly baby diaper revolution, determined to do good for your baby, and for the planet. 

With a name like Eco Pea, I’m expecting pretty big things from these diapers in terms of their eco-awareness. When 20 billion disposable diapers are dumped in landfill sites every year and each of these diapers can expect to stick around for a few hundred years before they break down, it’s pretty obvious that we need to change the diaper game, and fast. 

So how do Eco Pea diapers stand out from the (very overloaded) diaper crowd? How are they better for the world, and for your little one’s skin? Here’s the lowdown on this pretty awesome diaper company, and the products they offer.

Note: Affiliate links may be used in this post. I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through my affiliate link. Please read my disclosure for more info.

Everything you need to know about Eco Pea Diapers

Image: ecopeaco.com

What are they made from? 

Plant-based materials are the order of the day for Eco Pea diapers. Unlike the majority of disposable diapers, which are made mainly with petroleum-based plastics, Eco Pea diapers are made primarily with super soft bamboo. Kinda upset that they haven’t come up with some revolutionary pea-based diaper, to be honest, but bamboo will do, I guess.

Eco Pea explains that they choose bamboo for their products because it’s soft, biodegradable, and sustainable. In fact, while regular plastic disposable diapers will take anything up to 500 years to decompose, Eco Pea diapers will be half degraded in the short space of 2 or 3 months. Crazy, right. 

Eco Pea diapers also have added aloe extract, which helps to soothe the skin. No other fragrances are added, though, unlike many other brands. Check out why added fragrances should be avoided here!

This diaper brand also shuns gluten and animal testing, which is actually more common in diapers than you might think! They’re also completely vegan, just to put the cherry on top of the vegan cake. 

What are Eco Pea diapers Free from?

Just as crucial as what a diaper is made from is what it’s free from. If you’ve read any of my other articles or reviews, you’ll know how much I despise a toxin. And if you have indeed read my multiple rants about these nasty hidden chemicals, I apologize. Here I go again…

So what are Eco Pea diapers free of, and why is it so important? The company is, quite rightly, loud and proud about its avoidance of the following toxins:

  • Chlorine
  • Phthalates
  • Latex
  • Dioxin
  • Alcohol
  • Fragrances

Is chlorine in diapers bad for babies?

Chlorine isn’t just used in swimming pools, it seems. It’s used in pools to kill bacteria, which, of course, makes complete sense. What doesn’t make sense is using it to make diapers more absorbent, when this could easily be done in a way that doesn’t harm the environment. But it’s cheaper to use chlorine, so it’s hardly shocking that the practice is so widespread. Thankfully, Eco Pea diapers avoid it altogether. 

And what about dioxin?

While they sound pretty scary, dioxins are a by-product of the bleaching process and aren’t considered harmful to little ones. But choosing chlorine and dioxin-free diapers is still a whole heap better for the world, and Eco Pea doesn’t let us down.

More on this topic: Disposable Diapers: What Are They Made From, And Are They Safe?

Phthalates

It’s super important to choose phthalate-free diapers if you can. And if you’ve never heard of these nasty chemicals before, I’m not at all surprised. Diaper companies do a great job of keeping schtum about their use of phthalates, and their potentially harmful effects. 

Phthalates are actually used in all sorts of everyday items like toys, flooring, and baby diapers, to soften hard plastics1. Great, except that exposure to phthalates has been linked to the increased risk of asthma and eczema in children2, as well as abnormal genital development in little boys. In fact, a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics states that young children are often exposed to phthalates and might therefore be more vulnerable to the toxicity of these horrible chemicals. 

The general rule of thumb with baby diapers is unless they state very clearly on their website or packaging that phthalates aren’t used, it’s safe to assume that they are. So Eco Pea are smashing it out of the park with their completely phthalate-free baby diapers. 

Fragrances

Added fragrances in baby diapers, on the surface, seems like a good idea. Anything’s better than the smell of poop, you might say. But, let’s be honest, no matter how smothered with fragrances they are, all diapers end their lives smelling… less than rosey. So is there much point? Especially when the term ‘fragrances’ is often used by companies to cover up a myriad of harsh added chemicals. How do they get away with it?

The FDA doesn’t actually regulate the term ‘fragranced’, or ‘hypoallergenic’ for that matter, so diaper brands use it as they wish. In fact, brands could be using up to hundreds of chemicals for their so-called ‘perfumes’ and ‘fragrances’, which could be allergens, irritants, and carcinogens. Not only can these ‘fragrances’ cause diaper rash, but they have the potential to cause respiratory problems too. Suffice to say, buy fragrance-free diapers where possible, like Eco Pea.

Latex

You’ve probably heard of latex allergies, which can be anything from annoying to pretty serious if you have one. These allergies are actually quite common in children, which is why many diaper brands choose to avoid latex in their products, including Eco Pea diapers

Heavy metal inks

Cute prints on diapers are just that – cute. They don’t make a diaper more effective and I can’t say my babies have ever paid any attention to the design whatsoever, mainly because they can’t see it when they’re wearing the diapers! So using dyes and inks just seems kinda pointless, especially when many are made with heavy metals, which can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions. Some companies, like Eco Pea, use water-based inks, which are much better for your baby.

Are Eco Pea Diapers biodegradable?

Eco Pea diapers are made from an impressive 85% biodegradable materials. There are plastics present like super absorbent polymer (SAP), which you’ll find in pretty much all eco-friendly diapers, but the majority of the diaper is plant-based. 

Some diapers can be composted at home, but Eco Pea diapers will need to be disposed of using a commercial facility like this one from Kind By Nature Living or this service from Tiny Tots. They’ll collect your dirty diapers and compost them for you, leaving you free to… change more diapers, I guess.

How well do Eco Pea Diapers work?

Apart from being completely non-toxic, plant-based, and biodegradable, Eco Pea’s diapers are hypoallergenic and specifically designed for sensitive skin. Made with super soft bamboo, they feature a wetness indicator to take the guesswork out of changing and blowout guards, and they fit snugly on your little one. In other words, they’re designed to keep the pee and poop at bay! And great reviews seem to confirm their effectiveness.

Just in case you’re not sold yet, they’re anti-bacterial and they’ll arrive in biodegradable packaging. Oh, and their shipping process is carbon neutral. There’s not much more they can offer us at this point.

Eco Pea Diapers Size Chart and Quantity

NewbornSize 1Size 2Size 3Size 4
WeightUp to 10 lbs7-17 lbs14-24 lbs21-31 lbs28-44 lbs
# per pack3430262422

Eco Pea Training Diapers Size Chart and Quantity

Size 3Size 4
Weight21-31 lbs28-44 lbs
# per pack2018

Where can I buy Eco Pea Diapers?

I’m hoping that one day in the not-too-distant future, biodegradable, non-toxic diapers will be the only diapers available. But, until then, your best bet when it comes to finding healthy diapers is to look on a company’s own site, with some also selling on Amazon.

At the minute, the only way to buy Eco Pea diapers is through their own website, where it’s super easy to buy single packs or sign up for a diaper subscription.

How much do Eco Pea Diapers cost?

*Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

A single pack of 34 newborn diapers will set you back $14.99, about 44 cents per diaper. Size 1s work out at about 50 cents per diaper, size 2s at 57 cents, size 3s at 62 cents, and, finally, a pack of size 4 diapers will cost you about 68 cents per diaper. Considering the healthiest and most eco-friendly diapers can set you back up to 80 cents per diaper, these prices aren’t bad at all. They’re more expensive than super budget-friendly plastic diapers, of course, but it costs significantly more to manufacture plant-based, organic diapers. This is what’s wrong with the world!

Buying in bulk will offer pretty good savings, with each single purchase box (containing 6 packs of diapers) costing 5 dollars less than buying single packs. You can save even more if you subscribe…

Do they have a diaper subscription? Is it worth it?

I love diaper subscription services. You save money, don’t have to worry about grabbing any at the store, and will never find yourself in one of those oh-my-god-I-thought-we-had-more-diapers moments mid-change. Eco Pea comes through with their own subscription service, saving you 20% on the single pack prices. That means that a pack of newborn diapers will set you back 35 cents per diaper rather than 44 cents, or $11.99 for a pack instead of $14.99.

You can also subscribe to boxes of 6 diaper packs, which will also save you 20%: you’ll get each box for $71.95 instead of $84. And considering they’re delivered straight to your door, fuss-free, I’d say it’s definitely worth it!

What do the reviews say?

Most reviews of Eco Pea diapers are overwhelmingly positive, glowing even! 96% of reviewers gave the diapers 4 or 5 stars, with users loving how environmentally friendly and soft they are. Some users say they’re the best diaper brand they’ve ever tried and love how they don’t have to worry about diaper rash with these skin-safe, toxin-free baby diapers.

What other products does Eco Pea Diapers have?

Eco Pea don’t just make diapers; they offer environmentally-friendly wipes and training pants too, for all of your love-the-planet diapering needs!

Like their diapers, Eco Pea’s wipes are biodegradable, chemical-free, and fragrance-free. They’re extra thick, hypoallergenic, and designed for little ones with sensitive skin, as well as being gluten-free, cruelty-free, and completely vegan. 

Their training pants continue with the super awesome, earth-friendly vibes, and are made from sustainable bamboo. Like their diapers, they shun chemicals and fragrance and are gluten-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. They also feature a blowout guard and wetness indicator. I like the sound of the blowout guard…

Frequently Asked Questions: 

1. Are biodegradable diapers worth it?

While it might seem like an extra chore initially, the change you can make to the world by choosing biodegradable diapers and composting them where possible is huge. Billions of disposable diapers are thrown away every year, with most plastic ones (non-biodegradable ones, at least) taking anything up to a few hundred years to break down. That’s a lot of diapers. 

Switching to a biodegradable option like Eco Pea means your old diapers can be broken down in a matter of months rather than years. And the production is so much better for the planet too. Rather than using petroleum to make plastic diapers, which we know isn’t renewable or sustainable, biodegradable diapers use plant-based materials like bamboo, wood, and cane. These can be grown and used in a sustainable way, and are so much better for the skin health of your little one.

Some diapers can be composted easily at home using a compost bin, and some are better suited to professional composting services. Brands like Tiny Tots and Dyper make it easy for you to send away your diapers (apart from the poopy ones!) to be composted professionally. If you’re looking to break them down at home, check out this easy guide to DIY-ing it

Related Post: Top Picks for the Best Biodegradable Diapers on the Market

2. What are the best eco-friendly diapers?

The best eco-friendly diapers are those made from plant-based materials, which avoid harmful toxins and which, ideally, are biodegradable. It’s much more sustainable to make a diaper from bamboo than petroleum-based plastic, and so much better for the planet post-pee-or-poop too! Biodegradable plant-based diapers can take a few months to decompose, as opposed to the hundreds of years it can take for plastic diapers to break down.

Eco-friendly diapers should avoid chlorine bleaching too. Chlorine bleaching is used to make diapers more absorbent, but there are more environmentally-friendly ways of doing this, which avoid chlorine altogether. The problem is, it’s cheaper to use chlorine, which is why many brands choose it. But it’s pretty dire for the environment, so should be avoided if you’re looking for the most eco-friendly option.

Finally, some companies are determined to go that extra mile for the planet. On top of producing plant-based biodegradable diapers, they go into the full saving-the-world mode and pack their diapers in biodegradable bags, like Eco Pea, donate portions of their profits to charity, or purchase carbon offsets. Check out my top biodegradable diaper picks and non-toxic diaper picks for the lowdown on these amazing companies.

3. Which disposable diapers are the safest?

In terms of skin safety and the health of your baby, it’s so important to choose non-toxic diapers. The main toxins that could irritate your baby’s skin are fragrances, lotions, phthalates, and heavy metal dyes. Sounds like a lot to avoid, but there are actually loads of amazing companies committed to providing non-toxic diapers, including Eco Pea, Dyper, and Little Toes

Phthalates and ‘fragrances’ – sometimes the codeword for ‘added chemicals’ – can even affect your baby’s health in other ways. Phthalate exposure has been linked to the increased risk of asthma and eczema and the chemicals in added fragrances could cause respiratory problems. Want to avoid these nasty additions? Check out my non-toxic diaper roundups for my favorite healthy picks!

4. Are bamboo diapers better for the environment?

Most diapers are made predominantly with petroleum-based plastics: cheap to manufacture, but the earth’s arch-nemesis. Switching to bamboo diapers is much better for your carbon footprint. Bamboo is a ‘green’ crop, which means it absorbs more carbon dioxide than many other plants and trees. It doesn’t require pesticides to grow and it grows super fast – the Usain Bolt of the plant world, if you will. 

Unlike plastic diapers, bamboo diapers are usually biodegradable. That’s not to say that they’re 100% biodegradable, as all diapers use super absorbent polymer (or SAP), which is made from plastic. There isn’t an eco-friendly alternative to SAP yet, and it’s a pretty important part of the diaper; it’s the bit that makes it absorbent! But it’s much better to choose a diaper made mainly with bamboo than plastic. It should break down in months rather than years and is much healthier for your baby’s skin.

Read my biodegradable diapers roundup for more information on this awesome plant!

5. What are some alternatives to Eco Pea Diapers?

It’s a tough standard for other companies to meet, but there’s plenty out there to rival Eco Pea. Eco Pea diapers certainly take the gold medal when it comes to skin and planet health, as do similar brands like Andy Pandy, Ecoriginals, and Dyper.

All of these amazing brands offer hypoallergenic, biodegradable, non-toxic baby diapers, putting the health of your little one and saving the planet at the forefront of everything they do. And many of these companies go above and beyond when it comes to ethics. In fact, Dyper purchases carbon offsets with every pack sold, if their plant-based, biodegradable diapers aren’t enough…

So, are Eco Pea diapers worth trying?

The GoodThe Bad
◆ Made from sustainable bamboo
◆ Made from 85% biodegradable materials
◆ Hypoallergenic, so suitable for little ones with sensitive skin
◆ Fragrance-free
◆ They use water-based inks
◆ Lotion-free
◆ Latex-free
◆ Chlorine-free
◆ Phthalate-free
◆ They have great reviews
◆ Dermatologist tested
◆ Super soft
◆ They have a wetness indicator
◆ They have a blowout guard
◆ Gluten-free
◆ Completely vegan
◆ Antibacterial
◆ They’re delivered in biodegradable packaging
◆ They offer a subscription service
◆ Their shipping process is carbon-neutral
◆ They’re not a bad price
◆ Erm…

The bottom line

Okay, if it wasn’t crazy obvious, I love Eco Pea diapers. In fact, I’ve never written such a long pros list for a diaper review, and I can’t think of a single negative. Eco Pea diapers, previously named Cutie Pea diapers, are what all diapers should be: toxin-free, biodegradable and ethical. A common misconception is that eco-friendly diapers aren’t as effective at keeping the pee and poop at bay, but their great reviews put these falsities to rest. They’re soft, sustainable, and they work. 

I hope that the not-too-distant-future will see us presented with more options like Eco Pea diapers. The skin-friendly and eco-friendly diaper market is full of pretty epic companies, but the really big hitters, like Pampers and Huggies, need to up their game and start offering an alternative to the plastic, toxic diapers they currently produce. 

Thankfully, Eco Pea and others like them are paving the way to a healthier future, for our babies, and for the planet! And did I mention that their brand name is cute? Maybe I did.

References

  1. Hannon, P.R./ & flaws, J.A. (2015). The effects of phthalates on the ovary. Frontiers in endocrinology, 6
  2. Jaakkola, J. J., & Khinght, T. L. (2008). The role of exposure to phthlates from polyvinyl chloride products in the development of asthma and allergies: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Environ Health Perspect, 116(7), 845-53.

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