So you’ve got your face wash bar, your metal razor subscription, and your jar of deodorant, but what’s next? Well, that’s where sustainable menstrual products come in! Of course, for a lot of people, menstrual products are essential and cannot simply be cut out of their routine in order to reduce waste. So this article is here to tell you what eco-friendly alternatives there are to the common pad or tampon.
The impact of menstrual products on the planet may have never crossed your mind before and obviously, these products aren’t environmental enemy number one. However, pads can be made up of about 90% plastic and tampons contain polyester elements, as well as plastic wrappers. Inevitably, these all end up in landfills and the non-biodegradable items won’t break down for years. Alternatively, personal hygiene products can end up in the ocean - a UK beach clean-up project in 2010 found approximately 32 sanitary products per km of coastline! Wouldn’t it be nice to produce less waste during that time of the month?
There are several options for eco-fying your period, each with their own price and brand range:
1. Organic single-use products
If a reusable period product doesn’t seem like the best option for you, then why not give organic single-use products a go? Organic products are much less likely to contain bleach, pesticides, chemicals, or plastic, compared to standard pads and tampons. And realistically, why would you want any of those nasties near your intimate area anyway?? Organic tampons tend to be made from cotton, with applicators and packaging made from cardboard and paper. Organic Mondays offer a subscription for pads, tampons or panty liners to be delivered to your door, reducing both the stress and waste involved with your period.
2. Menstrual cups
This is a small, cup-like object made of silicone which sits in the vaginal canal, just like a tampon would. There’s no denying that using a menstrual cup can be slightly daunting, but there are plenty of instructional videos and guides available on the internet. A bonus of this product is that it can be worn for up to 12 hours, you read that right, 12 hours! No more faffing around having to change your tampon every 3 hours. Here is a visual representation of the waste you’re avoiding by switching to a menstrual cup.
Image from Organicup
Cups can seem a tad on the pricey side when you first buy one but remember it can last for up to 10 years, so that’s actually pretty cheap compared to the number of pads or tampons you might have bought in that time. We recommend Honour Your Flow and Moon Cup.
3. Period Underwear or Reusable Pads
Period underwear is exactly what it says on the tin - an absorbent pair of boyshorts, brazilians or hip-huggers that are perfect for periods. This underwear acts as an alternative to pads or tampons or can be used as extra protection with other menstrual products. Reusable pads are similar to this - acting as an alternative to disposable items, they are washable and designed to suit all your period needs for the whole cycle. These products aim to absorb menstrual fluid, control odours and prevent leaks. Period underwear and cotton pads are often made from sustainably sourced materials and can be washed and re-used time and time again. Check out period underwear here: WUKA or Modibodi. In the shop, we stock Honour Your Flow's amazing range of reusable, washable pads!
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