Many sanitary towels and tampons contain chemicals which are detrimental to both the environment and women’s health, as they absorb quickly through vaginal tissue into vaginal fluid.
Single-use products like tampons and pads create waste in landfills, oceans and waterways. Eco-friendly tampons made with biodegradable materials come packaged in compostable wrappers or recyclable boxes – providing another eco-friendly option.
Natracare
Natracare has long been recognized for offering safer menstrual products. Their mission is to empower women in managing their periods more sustainably while being kind to the planet. Their GOTS certified organic cotton tampons and pads contain no potentially hazardous chemicals, plus organic wipes and panty liners are also available.
Organic cotton decreases the risk of toxic shock syndrome (TSS), an illness believed to be caused by bacteria accumulation. Organic cotton grows without harmful pesticides or bleached with chlorine bleaches – thus decreasing its chance of TSS while leaving behind less contaminants in the environment.
Menstrual products from This company are completely plastic-free, which helps combat microplastic pollution in waterways and seas. Plus they’re home compostable – meaning they break down into fertilizer suitable for gardens! Plus they earned Ethical Accreditation from The GOOD Shopping Guide through rigorous review of their ethical policies and practices.
Rael
Since one menstruating person can use and discard up to seven billion tampons during her lifetime, it’s no secret that women are increasingly looking for less harmful feminine products. Reusable tampons and pads offer one solution as they work like disposable versions but can be washed and reused many times over.
Rael provides organic cotton tampons and pads that have minimal environmental impact, using eco-friendly materials and packaging to reduce landfill waste. Their tampons feature an organic cotton core and applicator; packaging can be composted or recycled.
Period Panties offer another type of period underwear which has an absorbent layer to capture your flow: period panties! They’re reusable up to 120 uses and an ideal alternative for those who cannot use tampons or pads due to sensitive skin; with three sizes to provide optimal comfort during their period.
Cora
Reusable period products such as menstrual cups and pads are among the most environmentally friendly choices available, helping reduce landfill waste as well as plastic pollution in our environment. But with any eco-friendly product comes regular washing and maintenance – as well as some learning curve.
Cora offers 100% organic cotton tampons and pads that are chlorine-free, fragrance-free, plastic free, cardboard applicator free tampons. Their pads contain fragrance-free 100% GOTS certified organic cotton fiber as well as biodegradable material made from non-GM plant starch for home compostability.
Their mission is to make sustainable feminine hygiene accessible for all women, and have taken steps toward this end by installing dispensers on campus that distribute both tampons and pads directly to students who require them. Additionally, they offer monthly subscription plans where products are shipped directly to customers’ doorsteps despite their environmental benefits being more expensive for some customers.
The McGill University Menstrual Health Project
Women’s Health Project’s reusable menstrual products are made of organic bamboo and are chemical, chlorine and fragrance free – with compostable wrappings and recyclable packaging for optimal convenience.
Menstrual Health Commissioner Julia Miracle says their primary aim is to end stigma associated with periods. To do this, eco-friendly pads and tampon dispensers have been placed in female washrooms as well as gender neutral facilities on campus to make period products accessible.
These products are funded through an undergraduate student fee of $2.40 per semester and a $50,000 grant from McGill’s Sustainability Projects Fund – two non-opt outable fees paid by all undergraduate students – and by a grant of $50,000 from this fund. They are openly available for everyone and even hold menstrual product pickup events where students can collect them free. Many of the students come from low income households; studies show one out of every three Canadian women experience periods of poverty requiring them to make choices between buying period products and other necessities such as rent or food bills when buying periods products is expensive enough.
