This may contribute to groundwater contamination and attract insects that carry and transmit diseases. These disposables are not readily biodegradable. The paper must be exposed to air and sun to decompose. Thirty percent of a disposable diaper is plastic and is not compostable. Even if the rest of the diaper could be composted, these plants could only handle 400 of the 10,000 tons of diapers tossed in landfills EACH DAY, assuming they didn't have to process any other compostable garbage.
Biodegradable diapers have cornstarch added to the plastic to break it into tiny pieces.
The pieces still end up in landfills. It's the late 1980's, people are becoming concerned about the environment. Disposables are on the decline. The disposables manufacturers fight back. Many mothers, glad to hear that and relieved of guilt, switch to disposables.