TotsBots

Until recently, all diapers and accessories were produced in the United Kingdom. Since 2020, TotsBots has also partnered with a Turkish manufacturer. The Bamboozles, PeeNut Pads and Boosters have recently been produced in Turkey. These products are recognizable by their ​“made in Turkey” label. All other products, however, are still produced locally.

All manufacturers must meet the strict conditions set by TotsBots. The company checks all manufacturers for quality conditions as well as working conditions.

TotsBots uses different materials for the absorbent fabric in the diapers. One is a towel fabric made from bamboo viscose. This appears to be, at first glance, a sustainable material, as it is a natural one. The cultivation of bamboo is already sustainable; it is a fast-growing plant that requires few fertilizers and pesticides. Unfortunately, the production process of bamboo viscose is less sustainable. It requires many chemicals and large amounts of water, in addition, the production process often takes place in distant countries such as China. Due to the lack of information, COSH! cannot estimate how sustainable the bamboo viscose used by TotsBots in their collections is.

As waterproof fabric, TotsBots uses recycled polyester derived from upcycled PET bottles. This fabric is then treated with a water-repellent layer of polyurethane. Unfortunately, these synthetic materials are not durable. The mixing of different materials makes the diapers difficult to recycle after use. However, this is necessary for applications such as swim diapers, where waterproofing is very important. 

For other products, TotsBots does use sustainable materials. For example, the brand uses GOTS-certified organic cotton. This certificate guarantees that the cotton was grown organically, that no harmful chemicals were used in the production process and that the product was made in ethical conditions.

In addition, TotsBots has the OEKO-Tex Standard 100 label for all its products. This certificate guarantees that no harmful chemicals are present in the product. TotsBots scores in the highest class here, with the strictest standards. This means that the products are completely safe for your baby.

TotsBots use recycled polyester derived from PET bottles. This is a good step toward circularity. Using biodegradable materials such as cotton also helps. 

Unfortunately, TotsBots’ products are difficult to recycle after use because different materials are combined. Mixing synthetic and natural materials also makes the product no longer biodegradable. This disadvantages the circularity of the TotsBots collection.

TotsBots says it sources all materials locally as much as possible. Production takes place in the United Kingdom and Turkey. This gives a fairly short supply chain. However, at COSH! we remain critical because the largest bamboo viscose production countries are in Asia and South America.

TotsBots does not use materials of animal origin in their products. Good for animal welfare! A side note here is the impact that using the products can have on our planet. Unfortunately, due to the use of synthetic materials, there is a chance of microplastics being released when the diapers are washed. This has a major impact on the environment and the ecosystems in our waterways and oceans. Read more about microplastics in water here.

The longevity of the diapers is very important to TotsBots. The diapers are designed to grow with your baby. Snap fasteners allow you to adjust the diaper to different sizes. Besides a standard white diaper, you can also choose between the many colorful prints TotsBots has to offer. With fun rainbows, animals or stripes, these diapers make every baby happy.

The quality of the materials is also important to ensure a long life. In addition, TotsBots provides clear instructions on how to use the diapers, along with washing instructions. To ensure the diapers maintain their quality longer, they should not be washed too hot. The diapers should not be ironed and should not be machine dried. These washing instructions not only ensure the quality of the diapers but also the environment! 

TotsBots recommends washing the diapers at lower temperatures and hanging them to dry. This ensures that the diapers keep their absorbent properties longer, this also reduces the release of microplastics.

Totsbots is unfortunately not very transparent about their production locations and materials. We know the countries where production takes place, but otherwise there is no information about the manufacturers. The origin of the various materials is also unknown. Thus, it is difficult to find out exactly how sustainable the materials are.