Cottonsie is a new plant-based diaper that replaces plastic with 100% breathable cotton in key diaper layers, including the topsheet, backsheet, acquisition distribution layer (ADL) and core wrap. According to the company, cotton is a natural, breathable fiber that supports a drier, healthier microclimate that can minimize the incidence of diaper rash. While the diaper includes synthetic materials to optimize performance, the majority of the diaper is plant-based—and 82% of it biodegrades within just 18 months.

Unlike conventional diapers made mostly of plastic, Cottonsie uses 100% natural cotton in nearly every area that touches a baby’s skin. “Plastic diapers are clogging our landfills and leaching toxins into the environment,” says Nicole Richards, founder and CEO of Cottonsie. “We created Cottonsie to give parents a real alternative: a high-performance, comfortable diaper made mostly from natural, biodegradable materials—and priced accessibly for everyday use.”

With a background in textiles, Richards recognized the challenge of making cotton behave more like plastic when it comes to moisture transfer in absorbent products. In response, she developed a patent-pending method that transforms how cotton handles liquid, allowing it to release and transfer moisture more like synthetic plastic-based materials found in conventional diapers. With that breakthrough, Cottonsie were able to create a diaper that’s made with 100% cotton in the topsheet, backsheet and ADL—offering the comfort of cotton with the performance of plastic. :While our diapers do contain synthetic ingredients to enhance performance, including spandex in the leg cuffs for a comfortable fit, and plastic ear tabs for safety and quality, as well as a biodegradable superabsorbent polymer (SAP) to prevent leaks, most of the parts of the diaper that touch the baby’s and parent’s skin has been swapped out for cotton,” she adds.