The other 8 percent purchase disposable diapers an average of two times per week. In addition, the Timmons Survey also indicates that coupons are used heavily in supermarket purchases of disposable diapers, with over 70 percent of those households purchasing through this distribution channel using coupons. The Product Introduced in the 1960s, disposable diapers have gone through a number of changes including changes in fasteners, liner material, sizes of the pad, and even colored patterns, but the main appeal of disposable diapers is still the convenience, and this is very important to working mothers. Made of non-degradable plastic, disposable diapers are used once, then thrown away. This removes the extra work of washing cloth diapers.
Plastic is by far the most expensive ingredient in the production of disposable diapers.
The plastic is a highly durable material that is highly resistant to weather and chemicals. Because of the structure of disposable diapers, they cannot be broken down by sunlight or through natural deterioration, creating a huge amount of non-degradable waste. Biodegradability, therefore, becomes a highly desirable added benefit to consumers. In fact, the major trend among manufacturers is the development of a cost-effective agent that can be included in the molecular structure of the plastic diaper to cause it to disintegrate upon extended exposure to environmental elements. This development would promote a significant change in the disposable-diaper industry and how it is viewed by consumers.