Green Parenting for Non-toxic, Healthy Homes
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Last winter when the biodiesel in our truck congealed in cold temperatures and my daughter was late for school, it was considered an unexcused reason for tardiness. Last week, the story was different for children attending school in Minnesota.
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First world countries are addicted to their disposable, aka “landfill” diapers. According to Planet Trash, “Americans alone go through around 18 billion disposable diapers a year.” A Canadian company wants to turn all those dirty diapers into a cost-effective, diesel fuel.
Using the process of pyrolysis to convert diapers to diesel, a facility is going to be built in Montreal. Pyrolysis, also known as thermal cracking, involves heating the dirty diapers in a closed environment that lacks oxygen. This closed system does not produce any emissions. Luciano Piciacchia, an engineer and vice-president with Amec’s Quebec office, explains,
Then you’re bringing it to the next level which is breaking the carbon chains down … and (in the end) they will resemble the fuels which are what we’re going to end up producing.
The company plans to begin collecting soiled diapers from area hospitals. “One of the beauties of the diaper is that it is going to be a very consistent input,” compared to trying to make fuel from other kinds municipal waste. [read the full article...]
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Monday's Daily Grist included the headline "I Believe the Children Are Our Lab Rats: Pesticides could make kids dumb, diesel emissions make them sick". After the recent news about BPA in baby bottles, lead in children's lunchboxes, jewelry, and baby bibs, as well as the information on pesticides affecting intelligence and noxious school bus emissions, the Daily Grist just may be right. Our children are not being protected, thus many families chose green options, not only because they care about the environment, but for the safety of their children. 
Lab Rats: Photo courtesy of nature.com
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