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How to Dispose of Diapers in the Best Way

Updated August 07, 2025
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2 min read

    As a parent, you'll likely go through around 8,000 diapers before your child is potty trained. It's important to know how to properly dispose of diapers to keep things tidy, whether you're at home or out with your baby. Fortunately, diaper disposal methods have come a long way, and we're here to guide you on the best practices.

    How to Dispose of Diapers: A Practical Guide

    First and foremost, always remember to wash your hands before and after changing your baby’s diaper . Once you’ve gone through all the steps and your little one is sitting happily in a new, clean diaper, it’s time to dispose of the used diaper.

    The best method?Embrace the roll and tape:

    • Roll. All you need to do is roll the diaper up, ensuring the outer side covers the soiled side, keeping any liquid or solid waste enclosed.

    • Tape. Then, use the side tapes (if you’re using taped diapers) to secure the roll in place. If you’re using stretchy Pampers Swaddlers 360° or diaper pants, use the easy-tear sides and disposal tape to keep the diaper securely rolled.

    And that’s it! Then, toss the dirty diaper in the trash.

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    How to Dispose of Diapers at Home

    After using the roll and tape method from above, you simply need to dispose of used diapers in a trash can. To reduce smells in your home, you might want to consider getting a smaller, hands-free bin with a liner and placing it next to your changing table. This way, you can easily toss used diapers and wipes into the bin as needed.

    Some parents choose to buy a diaper pail, though any small trash can with a lid can do the trick. The best diaper pails recommended by Pampers parents are easy to open (we’re talking hands-free), easy to clean (meaning easy to take apart), and truly contain smells (since that’s the main purpose).

    Once the diaper bin (or diaper pail) is full, dispose of the diapers along with your typical household waste. Just remember to keep the diaper bin and any liners or packaging out of the reach of your little one.

    Tip


    Because you’re at home, you can take your diaper disposal a step further and learn how to dispose of diapers in a more eco-friendly way. Before rolling and taping, you can always wipe any waste from the diaper into the toilet. Though modern landfills are designed to minimize contamination, removing waste from the diapers helps to keep any pathogens and bacteria out of landfills for public health and environmental reasons.

     

    How to Dispose of Diapers in Public

    Now you know about the proper disposal of diapers at home. Check! But how do you dispose of diapers in public? Don’t worry—even if this is your first baby, it’s fairly easy to dispose of diapers when you’re out and about, whether at the park, on a playdate, or en route to the grocery store.

    Like proper diaper disposal at home, the same applies to when you’re in public: the roll and tape method. Ensure you always have all the necessary supplies you’ll need in your diaper bag, including a changing pad. A mobile, reusable changing pad will be useful, especially if you can’t find a public restroom.

    But now the question begs, where to dispose of diapers in public? You probably won’t carry your diaper pail around with you, so what’s the best way to dispose of diapers without one? It’s totally OK to toss your baby’s used diaper in any trash can you can find, whether that’s at a park, on the street, or in a public restroom. For the health and safety of others, ensure the diaper is secured well and placed fully into the trash can.

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    Tip


    Learning about proper diaper disposal also means knowing what not to do. Never flush a used diaper down the toilet—your plumbing will thank you later. Average municipal recycling and composting don’t support recycling diapers (at least not yet), and it’s best never to burn used diapers.

     

    FAQs at a Glance

    It’s important to practice proper disposal of diapers to contain the waste and reduce any risk to health and safety. Plus, the best ways to dispose of diapers (as outlined in our article) also reduce the smell.

    How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.

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