Nonwovens Celebrates Earth Day

Thinner Diapers

When disposable diapers first hit stores nearly some critics panned them for their environmental impact but 50 years later they are a mainstay of everyday life. During this time, manufacturers have worked on making diapers thinner, improving their green profile and making babies more comfortable at the same time.

Recycling of Absorbents

To even further lessen the impact of diapers on the Earth, a number of companies are working to come up with a viable means to recycle diapers. This will save landfill space and provide a new life for the diapers' raw material stream.

Using Recycled Materials

More nonwovens processes are being adapted to handle recycled materials, like old cotton Tshirts or polyester water bottles. The result is greener products ranging for baby wipes to carpet backings to automotive materials.

Lighter Weight Automobiles

The growing use of nonwoven materials as acoustic materials in automobiles has contributed to higher fuel efficiencies in automotives. This has also opened up doors for nonwovens in new areas of the automobile.

Greener Raw Materials

Nonwovens manufacturers continue to incorporate more sustainable, renewable raw materials into their production. The use of materials like cotton, viscose and polylactid acid (PLA) has significantly decrease the environmental impact of these nonwovens.