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A baby crawls in his diaper.

The Cloth Option (TCO)

Empowering families with a sustainable, cost-effective diapering solution while supporting social justice, equity, and the environment.

Summary of Services

  • Provides cloth diapers to families nationwide and to military families abroad
  • Allows families to investigate the ecologically and economically sound option of cloth diapers
  • Makes extended sizes available for children weighing 36–55 pounds

Offering Cloth Diapers for Sustainability

 The Cloth Option (TCO) works to reduce diaper need by offering families an alternative to disposables. Through its national advocacy and distribution program, TCO provides cloth diapers to families nationwide and to military families stationed abroad. By combining community support with environmental awareness, TCO empowers families to make choices that are both economically and ecologically responsible.

Recognizing the significant financial and environmental impact of disposable diapers, TCO provides a sustainable and cost-effective solution. Cloth diapers not only reduce household expenses but also decrease landfill waste, helping to protect the planet for future generations. To meet the varying needs of families, TCO offers cloth diapers in a variety of styles and sizes. 

Families are loaned a set of diapers, which must be returned to receive the next size up, ensuring that resources are shared among all participating families. Extended sizes are also available for children weighing between 36 and 55 pounds. Distribution amounts are based on a child’s age: newborns receive 20 diapers, infants receive 15, and toddlers receive 10. Families who are expecting a newborn, a foster child, or an adopted child may apply up to 45 days in advance.

Elgibility

Applications are reviewed promptly, and diapers are distributed approximately 30 days before the expected birth or placement. This process helps ensure that families are prepared for their child’s arrival with a reliable supply of cloth diapers. To view the application, please visit here. 

Applications must be submitted online or through a local TCO advocate. In cases where a local advocate is not available, diapers can be shipped directly for a shipping fee that ranges from $9.00 to $11.00. To verify eligibility, applicants must provide documentation, including proof of address, proof of child, or foster placement certification. For medical diaper requests, families must submit appropriate documentation such as a physician’s letter, medical records, or an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) that specifies the need for cloth diaper use.

Once applications are submitted, families are encouraged to monitor their inboxes, including their spam folders, for communication from TCO. Emails from info@theclothoption.org and apply@theclothoption.org  contain instructions regarding applications and distributions.

Mission Statement

The mission of The Cloth Option is to advocate for and provide access to cloth diapers and other reusable hygiene products to reduce diaper need and protect our environment for future generations.