Charlie Banana creates fully recyclable packaging for reusable diapers

19 Jun 2023 --- Charlie Banana’s reusable cloth diapers are now offered in fully recyclable packaging using FSC-certified paper, guaranteeing that all the paper packaging materials are responsibly sourced to ensure no net loss of forests over time.

The recyclable packaging replaced previously used plastic components with paper solutions. Charlie Banana says it recognizes that using reusable diapers is not an easy choice for busy parents. That is why the brand has created a reusable diapering system that helps parents reduce waste.

New diaper designs accompany the packaging shift, with some celebrating biodiversity. Thirteen designs were introduced, totaling 32 prints and colors offered by Charlie Banana.  

“At Charlie Banana, we always listen to parents and search for ways to improve our products. This year, we have switched most of our packaging to fully recyclable FSC-certified paper. Also, we are delighted about the new vibrant designs, and we hope parents will love them as much as we do,” says Andy Daly, CEO at Charlie Banana. 

Battling diaper waste 
Innova Market Insights recorded that from 2021 to 2022, Folded Box (21%) was the leading packaging format for baby & toddler launches. Meanwhile, Plastic (41%) was the leading packaging material for the tracked launches. The top environmental sustainability-related claim among global baby and toddler product launches tracked in 2021 and 2022 was “Recyclable” (53%). 

Charlie Banana switches to paper packing to reduce waste. According to the World Economic Forum, it can take up to 450 years for diapers to decompose.

Charlie Banana supports the WWF through the 1% for the Planet pledge, meaning it donates 1% of all sales to environmental causes. The brand aims to create a better world for babies by connecting eco-conscious parents to “superior,” reusable cloth diapers.

Consumers can shop the new collection and learn more about cloth diapering on its website and Instagram. In addition to cloth diapers, Charlie Banana also offers reusable swim diapers, training pants and diapering accessories.

Diaper solutions
Charlie Banana is known for its adherence to using safe, lab-tested materials only. All Charlie Banana products are certified under the Annex 6 of standard 100 by Oeko-Tex to protect a baby’s skin. 

The brand recently won the 2023 Good Housekeeping Sustainable Innovation Award and has been recognized as the Best Stay-in-Place Hybrid Cloth Diaper by Babylist and the Most Comfortable Swim Diaper by What to Expect.

Earlier this year, Mondi developed an innovative solution that allows diaper producers to transition from plastic to paper packaging. The product is branded EcoWicketBag and provides safe packaging for a range of hygiene products, from diapers for babies and adults and female hygiene products to toilet and kitchen tissues. 

To decrease the waste diapers, Kimberly-Clark, manufacturer of Huggies nappies, teamed up with Australia-based companies to introduce a local diaper recycling trial, aiming to curb rates of pollution caused by disposable items in landfills.

The team investigated anaerobic digestion, in which microbes convert organic materials in Huggies diapers into “nutrient-rich compost” and bioenergy that can be captured and used to power the recycling process.

By Sabine Waldeck