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INNOVATION RESOURCES

Flush with Success

Breakthrough:
Kim Graham-Nye took a little known Australian biodegradable, flushable diaper and brought it to the US market where gDiapers are now providing an alternative to cloth and plastic diapers.

Inventor:
gDiapers, United States

The Story:
Flush with Success

Diapers. The dilemma faced by every baby's parents. Do you go for disposables that clog up landfills? Or face the stinky business of scraping and laundering cloth diapers using tons of precious water?

Kim Graham-Nye made her choice: neither one. She found a third option consisting of a reusable diaper cover that could be lined either a cloth or a biodegradable insert.

Recognizing a good thing when she saw it, Graham-Nye negotiated the rights of the Australian product and proceeded to brand the "gDiaper" for the US market.

The gDiaper contains no plastic layer and uses no inks or dyes. While the typical disposable takes up to 500 years(!) to break down, gDiaper inserts can decompose in 50 to 150 days.

Not content to supply the world with the first flushable diaper, Graham-Nye expanded her line to include three new products.

gCloth washable diaper inserts are just the thing for those who want a cloth diaper. They are composed of four layers of polyester microfleece and hemp/cotton, and fit snugly into gPants, with no folding or pins required.

gPants are aimed at style-conscious tots who have just had enough of pink and blue diapers. The sophisticated pants come in a glamorous black, for the style conscious, and many more cheerful, bright colors. gPants are a machine washable, soft cotton outer pant made of a breathable material that will help you avoid diaper rash.

Biodegradable gWipes are the latest offering from gDiapers. These hypoallergenic, fragrance-, chlorine-, and alcohol-free baby wipes contain a hint of Aloe Vera and vitamin E to provide a soothing wipe for irritated bottoms.

The wipes are made from cellulose pulp and regenerated cellulose, and can be home composted.

Keeping plastic off of babies and out of landfills has allowed Graham-Nye to develop a business not only profitable her family, but environmentally friendly for the planet. Revenues have tripled in the past three years, and four employees have grown to 15 full-time. gDiaper products are now available nationally from gdiapers.com, retailers such as Babies R Us and Target, and online.

The family-centered business has a full-time daycare in its headquarters, gives four weeks of paid vacation, and of course a generous three months of paid maternity leave for moms, and six weeks of paternity leave for men.

Their family values such as allowing employees to work flexible hours so they can be home with their kids after school, have attracted top notch people and have resulted in almost no employee turnover. Employees have even given up larger pay checks elsewhere just to be involved in a company that values quality of life.

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