A Cuban woman has sparked intense debate on social media after sharing a video on TikTok where she explains how she recycles disposable diapers due to the scarcity and high prices on the island.
"I live in Cuba, and today I'm going to show you how and why we recycle Pampers," the woman, identified on the platform as @yatmara.bernal, begins. In the material, she outlines step by step the process she uses to reuse her baby's diapers.
According to the explanation, the first step is to take the used diaper and soak it with plenty of water until the absorbent filling turns gelatinous. Then, tear the front and back ends, remove all the inner material, and wash the cover with water and soap, as if it were any piece of children's clothing.
"Although it may not seem hygienic, it ends up as clean as a pair of panties, some stockings, or a child's shorts," she states in the video.
The mother acknowledges that the process involves a high consumption of soap, a product that is also scarce and costly in Cuba. However, she argues that it remains more economical than buying a pack of disposable diapers, the price of which—she claims—can triple the monthly salary of a worker on the island.
Once the cover is washed, the woman uses fabric “culeros” made of gauze to fill the recycled diaper. She explains that it is not made of cotton fabric, but rather a fabric similar to that used in hospital dressings, which is what they can obtain.
"The only difference is that it no longer has an absorbent filling, but rather one made of gauze fabric, so it needs to be changed constantly," she clarifies.
The testimony reflects the difficulties many Cuban families face in accessing basic children's hygiene products amid the prolonged economic crisis the country is experiencing.
In the comments on the video, several women stated that this practice is not new and that many mothers in Cuba have had to resort to similar solutions to care for their children.
The publication has sparked mixed reactions: while some users praise the ingenuity and resilience of the mother, others question the conditions that force families to reuse products designed for single use.
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