It’s a fact. 100% biodegradable diapers.

We’ve always suspected it. Our home composts have suggested it. But we’ve waited to claim it until the proper tests were done. Well, the results are in. (drum roll please … ) Our gRefills are certified 100% biodegradable.

So what does this mean? Biodegradability simply means that naturally occurring microorganisms and weathering processes are capable of decomposing a material or product into recyclable biological nutrients without leaving any harmful residues behind. And how do we know? We asked a scientist, at the US Department of Energy no less.

With the growing awareness of the need to make products that are environmentally benign (i.e., non-toxic) and even beneficial for the environment, consumers are increasingly looking for products that are genuinely “green.” Parents, as a group, naturally want what’s best for their babies, as well as what’s best for the planet. Unfortunately, many products manufactured by modern industrial methods are not biodegradable, including disposable diapers.

There are a lot of claims out there about “environmentally friendly,” “all natural” and even “biodegradable” that are not backed up by rigorous (if any) testing. But today there are established standards for biodegradable testing, such as ASTM D6400, which place materials in normal composting conditions and measure the actual breakdown as it occurs over time.

In this context, biodegradability (or biodegradation) is a way of measuring how much and how quickly a product breaks down and whether there are any toxic residues left behind. The ASTM tests allow a 180-day period to achieve 95% degradation.

Our gRefills have been tested to these standards by an independent laboratory. It was verified that under normal composting conditions our product truly is biodegradable. We achieved this in just 45 days, well within the 180 day time frame. Over-achievers? Nah. Just the facts. gRefills break down quickly and leave no toxic residue behind. To see the nitty gritty details, download the official ASTM test document.

Our gRefills have also been through the rigorous Cradle to Cradle Certification. This means our product has met 19 human and environmental health criteria and that the product really does breakdown and return to nature in a harmless or even beneficial way. There are just a handful of products out there with Cradle to Cradle certification. We are proud and honored to be one of them.

Many parents have been happily home composting wet-only gRefills for years. They typically break down in 50-150 days and add valuable nutrients to home gardens. We’ve now done testing in commercially managed composts as well, with the gRefills breaking down in as little as one week. Wow. Soon cities will be collecting gRefills curbside, turning this week’s waste into next week’s resource. Learn more about the commercial compost trial.

So there are the facts. Biodegradable. Compostable. Flushable. Breathable. Adorable. Flush, compost, or toss and breathe easy.